BANCROFT 
 LIBRARY 
 
 -o- 
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 Gift of 
 John Wooster 
 
THE LIFE OF 
 
 HENRY DODGE, 
 
 FROM 1782 TO 1833. 
 
 WITH PORTRAIT BY GEORGE CATLIN, 
 
 AND MAPS OF THE BATTLES OF THE PECATONICA AND 
 WISCONSIN HEIGHTS IN THE BLACK HAWK WAR. 
 
 BY WILLIAM , SALTER, 
 
 BURLINGTON, IOWA 
 
 1890. 
 
/ 6 Z5V) 
 
 f L\ 
 
 ' &<ff of J 
 
 HENRY DODGE, 
 
 GOVERNOR OF THE ORIGINAL TERRITORY 
 OF WISCONSIN. 
 
 IOGRAPHIES are the life of history. Great men 
 are the chief elements of a nation's power and 
 renown. Plutarch's "Lives" furnish the best 
 account extant of the old Greeks and Romans. 
 He who has mastered the biographies of George Washington, 
 Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, and 
 Abraham Lincoln, knows the chief parts of American history. 
 When Thomas Carlyle had completed his "Elucidation of 
 Oliver Cromwell" he wrote to Ralph Waldo Emerson: "I 
 wish you would take an America hero and give us a history 
 of him." 
 
 The settlement and growth of the territory northwest of 
 the Ohio river is one of the marvels of American history; it 
 cannot be better told than in the lives of its pioneers. Promi 
 nent among them, a heroic man, was Henry Dodge. Born in 
 that territory at Post St. Vincents (Vincennes), October I2th, 
 1782, his life covered nearly the whole of the first century 
 of its settlement. The Canadian French had been earlier 
 upon the ground, but he was the first "American " child born 
 
2 HKNKY DOIHJK. 
 
 in what is now the State of Indiana. He was a leader in 
 putting an end to the Black Hawk war. One of the results 
 of that war, "partly as indemnity for the expense incurred, 
 and partly to secure the future safety and tranquillity of the 
 invaded frontier," was a cession to the United States of a 
 tract lying along the west bank of the Mississippi, from which 
 Black Hawk had gone to wage war in April 1832, and upon 
 which the next year the first permanent settlements in what is 
 now Iowa were commenced. He was governor of the original 
 Territory of Wisconsin, when what is now Iowa was included 
 therein. A sketch of his life and public services is appropriate 
 to the IOWA HISTORICAL RECORD. 
 
 Among his papers, which were preserved by his son, 
 Augustus C. Dodge, is a package bearing the simple inscrip 
 tion in his handwriting, "Commissions in the Service of My 
 Country." There was also included in this package the com 
 mission of his father, Israel Dodge, as sheriff of the District 
 of St. Genevieve, signed by William Henry Harrison, gover 
 nor and commander in chief of the Indiana Territory and of 
 the District of Louisiana, John Gibson, secretary, October i, 
 1804. 
 
 The commissions of Henry Dodge cover a long period of 
 public service. They embrace the signatures of six presi 
 dents of the United States, and of many other distinguished 
 men. It is doubtful if there exists another collection of equal 
 interest and value in the documentary history of the West, un 
 less it may be in connection with the life of William Henry Har 
 rison, or the life of Lewis Cass, who were illustrious pioneers. 
 They were not born, like the subject of this memoir, in the 
 West; but they filled with honor some of its highest stations. 
 
 The following is a list of commissions in the package re 
 ferred to: 
 
 1. Lieutenant of Militia in the District of St Genevieve; signed by James 
 Wilkinson, governor and commander in chief of the Territory of Louisiana; 
 Joseph Browne, secretary, May xoth, 1806. 
 
 2. Adjutant of the Militia in the District of St. Genevieve; signed by 
 
HENRY DODGE. 3 
 
 James Wilkinson, governor, etc., July lyth, 1806. This commission also bears 
 the oath of office sworn to by H. Dodge before Jno. Smith, T., March 2d, 1807. 
 
 3. First Lieutenant of St. Generic ve Troop of Cavalry ; signed by Frederick 
 Bates, secretary of the Territory of Louisiana, and exercising as well the 
 government thereof as the office of commander in chief of the militia of said 
 territory; St. Louis, August I4th, 1807. 
 
 4. Captain of St. Genevieve Trooop of Cavalry; signed by Meriwerher 
 Lewis, governor and commander in chief of the Territory of Louisiana; F. 
 Bates, secretary, July loth, 1809. 
 
 5. Marshal for the Territory of Missouri; notification of appointment by 
 President Madison; signed by James Monroe, secretary of state, August loth, 
 1813. 
 
 6. Sheriff of the County of St. Genevieve; signed by William Clark ? 
 governor of the Territory of Missouri; F. Bates, secretary, October ist, 1813. 
 
 7. Brigadier General of the Missouri Territory; to rank as such from the 
 17th of January, 1814; signed by James Madison, president ,of the United 
 States; J. Armstrong, secretary of war, Washington, April i6th, 1814. 
 
 8. Sheriff of the County of St. Genevieve; signed by Wm. Clark, gover 
 nor of the Territory of Missouri; F. Bates, secretary, September 3oth, 1815. 
 
 9. Marshal for the District of Missouri; notification of appointment by 
 President Madison ; signed by John Graham, chief clerk of the department of 
 state, February 25th, 1817. 
 
 10. Marshal in and for the Missouri District for four years; signed by James 
 Monroe, president; John Quincy Adams, secretary of state, April 25th, 1822. 
 
 11. Major General of the Second Division Missouri Militia; signed by 
 Alexander McNair, .governor of the State of Missouri; Wm. G. Pettus, 
 secretary of state; St. Charles, May 8, 1822. 
 
 12. Marshal of the United States in and for the District of Missouri for four 
 years from April 25th, 1826; signed by J. Q. Adams, president; Henry Clay, 
 secretary of state, December 22d, 1825. 
 
 13. Chief Justice of the County Court in and for the County of Iowa for 
 four vears from December ist, 1829; signed by Lewis Cass, governor of the 
 Territory of Michigan; J. Witherell, secretary; Detroit, October i4th, 1829. 
 
 14. Colonel in the Militia of the Territory of Michigan; signed by Lewis 
 Cass, governor; October I5th, 1829. 
 
 15. Major of the Battalion of Mounted Rangers, to rank from June 21, 1832; 
 signed by Andrew Jackson, president; Lewis Cass, secretary of war, June 22d, 
 1832. 
 
 16. Colonel of the Regiment of Dragoons, to rank from the 4th of March, 
 1833; signed by Andrew Jackson, president; Lewis Cass, secretary of war; 
 May loth, 1834. 
 
 17. Governor of the Territory of Wisconsin for three years from July 3d, 
 1836; signed by Andrew Jackson, president; John Forsyth, secretary of state; 
 April 30th, 1836. 
 
4 HENRY DODGE. 
 
 18. Governor of the Territory of Wisconsin for three years from July 3d, 
 1839; signed by M. Van Buren, president; John Forsyth, secretary of state; 
 March 9th, 1839. 
 
 19. Governor of the Territory of Wisconsin for three years from February 3d, 
 1846; signed by James K. Polk, president; James Buchanan, secretary of state; 
 February 3d, 1846. 
 
 Henry Dodge was of the fourth or fifth generation from 
 Tristram Dodge, one of the original proprietors of Block 
 Island, Rhode Island. 1 His mother, born in Carlisle, Pennsyl 
 vania, was a heroic woman, of Scotch-Irish stock. The Hon. 
 Felix Grundy, of Tennessee, was intimately acquainted with 
 her, and "esteemed her as one of the most rarely-gifted and 
 wonderful ladies he had ever met with." 2 Henry Dodge passed 
 his childhood near Louisville, and at Bardstown, Kentucky. 
 At the age of fourteen he joined his father in Upper Louisiana, 
 then Spanish country, but at different periods returned to 
 Kentucky, where at one time he read law in the office of Col. 
 Allen, who was killed at the battle of the river Raisin, 
 January, 1813. For a sketch of his parents, and for other 
 incidents of his early life, the reader is referred to an article 
 upon his mother, entitled, "A Heroine of the Revolution," in 
 THE RECORD for July, 1886, and to an article upon his son, 
 "Augustus C. Dodge," in THE RECORD for January, 1887. 
 
 The public life of Henry Dodge commenced as deputy 
 sheriff of the District of St. Genevieve under his father in 
 1805, and continued until the expiration of his second term as 
 a senator of the United States in 1857, a period of fifty-two 
 years. In addition to holding the offices indicated by the 
 above enumerated commissions, he was a member of the con 
 vention that framed the constitution of the State of Missouri 
 in 1820; he was chosen, in July, 1831, a member of the legis 
 lative council of the Territory of Michigan to meet at Detroit 
 in May, 1832, but on account of the breaking out of the 
 
 1 Tristram Dodge and descendants, by Robert Dodge, New York, 1886, ch x ix. 
 
 2 MS. Letter of Mrs. E. A. R. Linn to A. C. Dodge, May 2d, 1854; Lifo 
 and Public Services of Dr Lewis F. Linn, pp. n, 16, 17, 344; Benton's Thirty 
 Years' View, v. 2, p. 485. 
 
HENRY DODGE. 5 
 
 Black Hawk war he did not attend; he was delegate to 
 Congress from the Territory of Wisconsin, 1841-5; and a 
 senator of the United States from the State of Wisconsin, 
 1848-57. 
 
 In the summer of 1805 Aaron Burr visited the West. He 
 was at St. Louis in September of that year, and threw out 
 vague hints of some splendid enterprise in prospect for the 
 Western country. Whether under feint of an attack upon 
 Mexico in the interest of the United States he aimed to seat 
 himself upon the throne of Montezuma, and extend his 
 empire over the valley of the Mississippi, remains a mystery. 
 President Jefferson believed that something of that kind was 
 in his mind; at the same time he compared him to "a crooked 
 gun whose aim or shot you could never be sure of." 
 
 Upon Burr's expedition dow r n the Ohio in the fall of 1806, 
 Henry Dodge, with his friend John Smith, T., a man 
 famous for daring adventure, set out to join it. If there was 
 to be any fighting, they said, they must take a hand. They 
 proceeded to New Madrid, where Burr was expecting to 
 meet recruits coming down the Mississippi. Here they were 
 apprised of President Jefferson's proclamation declaring the 
 enterprise unlawful; whereupon they sold their canoes, bought 
 horses, and returned home. They were of Andrew Jackson's 
 way of thinking, who said, " I hate the Dons ; I would delight 
 to see Mexico reduced ; but I would die in the last ditch before 
 I would see the Union disunited." On reaching St. Genevieve 
 they found themselves indicted for treason by the grand jury 
 then in session. Dodge surrendered himself, and gave bail 
 for his appearance; but feeling outraged by the action of the 
 grand jury he pulled off his coat, rolled up his sleeves, and 
 whipt nine of the jurors; and would have whipt the rest, if 
 they had not run away. He was a tall man, over six feet 
 high, straight as an Indian, and possessed great strength. 2 
 
 1 Jefferson's Works, v. 5., pp. 28, 68. 
 
 2 Personal Recollections, by John F. Darby, p. 87. 
 
6 HENRY DODGE. 
 
 He was one of the original trustees of St. Genevieve Aca 
 demy, which was incorporated by act of the governor and 
 judges of the Territory of Louisiana, June 2ist, 1808. A 
 large stone building was erected upon a hill overlooking the 
 town, that commands a line view of the bluffs above, of the 
 prairie below, and of the Mississippi sweeping along in the 
 distance. Mann Butler, the historian of Kentucky, was at 
 one time a teacher in this academy. It was in a flourishing 
 condition in 1854-1862, under the control of Hon. Francis A. 
 Rozier. 
 
 A few years after the region west of the Mississippi had 
 come into the possession of the United States, ardent to foster 
 American feeling among the inhabitants, he went up to the 
 ruins of Fort Chartres, to obtain a cannon for a celebration of 
 the 4th of July at St. Genevieve. In the previous century the 
 Fort had been a stronghold of the "Illinois Country;" first, 
 under the possession of both sides of the Mississippi by the 
 French, 1720-1765; afterwards of the east side by the English, 
 1 765-1772.' It was now a crumbling ruin. He made up a 
 party consisting of his family, Lewis F. Linn, his half brother, 
 .Otto Schrader, one of the judges of the territory, and a few 
 others. They embarked upon a sunny morning in June, 1811, 
 on a keel boat, manned by negroes, who propelled it with 
 poles and sweeps. The voyage was slow and laborious, 
 against a strong current, the distance about ten miles. On 
 reaching the fort they picked out from the debris a heavy 
 cannon, of iron; having no levers or hoisting apparatus, night 
 came on before they succeeded in loading it on the boat, when 
 they floated back to St. Genevieve, the full moon rising 
 
 1 On a gloomy spring night in 1772 the Mississippi made its last wild leap at 
 the old fort, and swept away the southern curtain and bastions. The troops 
 vacated the place and built Fort Gage, on the bluffs near Kaskaskia, which 
 was headquarters during the remainder of the British occupation. Fort 
 Chartres was never reoccupied. Its walls formed a quarry for the people of 
 the neighborhood, who carried them off stone by stone. The magazine alone 
 remains intact, and lifts its bramble-covered arch amid the modern farm-varcl 
 into which the place has been converted. Dunn's Indiana, pp. 76, 77. 
 
HENRY DODGE. 7 
 
 brightly over the turbid river. The people of the village 
 welcomed them home, and assisted in unloading and mounting 
 the cannon, and its thunders reverberated in honor of Ameri 
 can independence. The same cannon served for patriotic 
 occasions for thirty years, until it burst on the fourth of July, 
 I840. 1 
 
 Not a few desperate characters infested the frontiers in 
 those days. His duties as sheriff required energy and de 
 cision. While in that office he hung two notorious murderers 
 Peter Johnson, August 3d, 1810, and Charles Heath, March 
 pth, 1812 on Academy Hill. 
 
 On the first day of October, 1811, he and John Scott, after 
 wards delegate to Congress from the Territory of Missouri, 
 1817-21, and member of Congress from the State, 1821-27, 
 were seconds in a duel between two prominent citizens of St. 
 Genevieve, Dr. Walter Fenwick and Thomas T. Crittenden, 
 a brother of the distinguished John Jay Crittenden. The duel 
 was fought on a sandbar, Moreau's Island, a few miles below 
 the village, and Dr. Fenwick fell mortally wounded. Dr. 
 Fenwick had no part in the quarrel which led to the duel, but 
 took a brother's place, from whom Crittenden had refused a 
 challenge. 
 
 Before war broke out between Great Britain and the United 
 States in 1812, British emissaries had excited the savages 
 upon the frontiers to hostilities against the American settle 
 ments. General Harrison had repulsed them at Tippecanoe, 
 November 7th, 1811; but they rallied to the British side in 
 artful combinations under Tecumseh. Among some tribes, 
 however, there was a division of sentiment. The Sacs of Rock 
 river under "General Black Hawk," as the English called 
 him, entered the British service. Some other bands of Sacs 
 and Foxes were friendly to the Americans, and their chiefs 
 went to St. Louis, and tendered aid to the United States. 
 But our Government declined to employ them. Of restless 
 
 1 Hon. Firmin A. Rozier, in Fair Play, St. Genevieve, January iSth, 1885. 
 
8 HENRY DO*DGE. 
 
 nature, the savages could not remain quiet in a time of war. 
 Marauding bands of different tribes, bent on pillage and 
 murder, beset the scattered settlements. In September, 1812, 
 an assault was made upon Fort Madison, the only fort which 
 the United States had erected in what is now Iowa. The 
 "Boone's Lick Settlement," consisting of about 150 families, 
 in what is now Howard and Cooper counties, Missouri, where 
 Daniel Boone had been the earliest adventurer in 1800, and 
 where his son Nathan had commenced the manufacture of 
 salt in 1807? was in a very exposed situation, and suffered 
 frequent depredations. A number of prominent persons in 
 the settlement were killed by the savages. 
 
 Upon the call of the governor of the Territory, Henry 
 Dodge took the field. He raised a mounted rifle company at 
 St. Genevieve, and was made major of the Territorial militia, 
 and was subsequently appointed Brigadier General of the 
 militia of the Territory by President Madison. By his courage 
 and skill, having great knowledge of Indian character, he 
 overawed and composed hostile and wavering bands, and 
 carried relief and protection to the frontiers. His half brother, 
 Lewis F. Linn, who had pursued medical studies with Dr. 
 Gault, of Louisville, Ky., accompanied him as surgeon to the 
 troops. 
 
 Parts of several tribes belonging on the east side of the 
 Mississippi had been removed at their own request to the 
 valley of the Missouri, that they might be out of the reach of 
 British influence; but they proved perfidious, and were a 
 terror to the settlements. Among them was a band of 
 Miamies (Piankeshaws), which General Harrison had sent 
 west in order to detach them from the Prophet's band. They 
 occupied the region above the mouth of the Osage river. 
 General Dodge conducted an expedition to correct and punish 
 them in the summer of 1814. It consisted of three com 
 panies of mounted men; one from Cape Girardeau, one from 
 St. Louis, one from the Boone's Lick Settlement (Capt. 
 Cooper), and sixty-six Shawnees, under Kishkalwa, a Shaw- 
 
HENRY DODGE. 9 
 
 nee chief. In making a rapid movement for the purpose of 
 taking the Miamies by surprise, having the Missouri river to 
 cross, the whole command dashed into the rushing stream, and 
 swam their horses to the opposite shore. They found that 
 the affrighted Indians had deserted their village and taken to 
 the woods. On being collected together the Indians gave up 
 their arms, and begged to be spared their lives. Gen. Dodge 
 accepted their surrender, and was making preparations to dis 
 pose of them by sending them out of the country. Mean 
 while the "Boone's Lickers " had become infuriated against 
 them from finding in their possession and about their persons 
 articles of booty and spoil \vhich they had taken from their 
 kindred and neighbors whom they had plundered and mur 
 dered. Word came to the General that there was to be an 
 indiscriminate massacre of all the Miamies. He immediately 
 rode to the spot where they were collected, and found the 
 frightened Indians upon their knees addressing a death-prayer 
 to the Manitou, while the " Boone's Lickers " were in the act 
 of levelling their guns at them. He quickly spurred his horse 
 between the muzzles of the guns and the Indians, and placing 
 the point of his sword to Capt. Cooper's bosom, told him and 
 his men that they could not shoot except through the dead 
 body of their commander. After some angry looks and hard 
 words the Captain demanded his men to desist. 
 
 The Miamies expressed the warmest gratitude to Gen. 
 Dodge for saving them from death. They were afterwards 
 conducted in safety to St. Louis, and conveyed to their former 
 home on the Wabash. Long afterwards in narrating the 
 scene to his son Augustus, Gen. Dodge said that he felt more 
 pride and gratification at having saved the lives of his Miami 
 prisoners than he ever did at any triumph upon the field of 
 battle. His magnanimity and firmness of character deeply im 
 pressed the friendly Shawnees and Delawares who were in his 
 command. Twenty years after this event, when stationed at 
 Fort Leavenworth as colonel of U. S. Dragoons, he was visi 
 ted by various Indian chiefs, among others by Kishkalwa, the 
 
io HENRY Doi><ri:. 
 
 Shawnee chief, who had been with his troops in 1814. As 
 the chief came in he embraced and kissed Col. Dodge, to the 
 surprise of his family who were present. Other spectators 
 were deeply impressed as they saw the chief's esteem and 
 affection for his old commander. More than seventy years 
 after the event, a venerable pensioner who had emigrated to 
 California referred with pride to his having been "a soldier 
 under Henry Dodge in the war of 1812." 
 
 In July, 1815, Gen Dodge was stationed with a strong mili 
 tary force at Portage des Sioux, on the west side of the 
 Mississippi, a short distance above the mouth of the Missouri, 
 to maintain order and to prevent any collision or surprise 
 among the chiefs and headmen of the Sacs and Foxes, Potta- 
 wattamies, Sioux, and other tribes, who were there assembled 
 with Governor William Clark, of Missouri Territory, Gover 
 nor Ninian Edwards, of Illinois Territory, and Auguste Cho- 
 teau, of St. Louis, as commissioners of the United States for 
 the purpose of negotiating treaties of peace. His name is 
 appended as a witness to the treaties made with the Teeton 
 and Yancton tribes, July 19, i8i5- 2 
 
 After the war he resumed the business of salt-making which 
 his father had commenced at the mouth of Saline river, and 
 was dubbed "Salt-boiler." At one time he was interested in a 
 large and costly establishment with John Scott and Ed\vard 
 Hempstead at Peyroux's Saline. The business was profitable, 
 but as transportation from the Ohio valley was cheapened by 
 steamboats, which first appeared on the Upper Mississippi in 
 July, 1817, prices declined from five dollars a bushel to 75 
 cents, and he lost all he had made. He also carried on lead 
 mining and smelting at Shibboleth, in what is now Jefferson 
 County, Mo. The only money in the country was Spanish 
 silver dollars. There was no small coin. "I have frequently 
 seen my father," said his son Augustus, "go to a blacksmith 
 
 1 Record, January, 1887, p. 422. 
 
 2 U. S. Statutes at Large, vii, 125, 128. 
 
HENRY DODGE. 1 1 
 
 shop with a bag of silver dollars, and then cut them up into 
 halves, quarters and eighths, for small change. My mother 
 made buckskin pockets in his clothes to carry this fractional 
 currency." 
 
 In May, 1820, he was elected by the people of St. Gene- 
 vieve County a member of the Convention that assembled the 
 following month at St. Louis and adopted a Constitution for 
 the State of Missouri. The Territorial legislature of 1818 
 had proposed as the northern boundary of the State a line 
 drawn due west from the mouth of Rock river. It is interest 
 ing to the people of Iowa, and of Missouri also, after the lapse 
 of seventy years, to read the reasons which were then as 
 signed for that proposition, viz: 
 
 The districts of country that are fertile and susceptible of settlement are 
 small, and separated from each other at great distances by immense plains and 
 barren tracts, which must for ages remain waste and uninhabited. One of the 
 objects in view is the formation of an effectual barrier against Indian incur 
 sions bv pushing forward a strong settlement at the little river Platte to the 
 west, and on the Des Moines to the north. 1 
 
 The Convention, however, was content with the limits ap 
 pointed by Congress in the act to authorize the people of 
 Missouri Territory to form a Constitution and State government, 
 approved March 6th, 1820, which fixed the northern boundary 
 at the mouth of the Des Moines river, and west of that river 
 on "the parallel of latitude which passes through the rapids 
 of the river Des Moines." Years afterwards, when that 
 boundary line became a matter of dispute, he gave his testi 
 mony in his message to the First Legislative Assembly of 
 Wisconsin Territory, at its second session held in Burlington, 
 Des Moines County, November 7th, 1837, as follows: 
 
 By the act of Congress of 1820 the limits of the State of Missouri were de 
 nned: and it was well understood by the members of the convention who 
 formed the constitution of that state that " the rapids of the river Des Moines" 
 were the rapids on the Mississippi, near the mouth of that river. 
 
 Ten years later, under date of Dodgeville, December nth, 
 
 l A. State Papers, Miscellaneous, ii, 557. 
 
12 HENRY DODGE. 
 
 1847, he gave the following testimony, which \vas submitted 
 to the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of the 
 State of Missouri vs. The State of Iowa : 
 
 I was a member of the convention that formed the constitution of the State 
 of Missouri in 1820, and during the session of the convention I never under 
 stood or heard the rapids in the river Des Moines mentioned to the best of my 
 recollection; and my recollection is clear in 1820 that the lower Mississippi 
 rapids was called "the rapids of the river Des Moines," or "the river Des 
 Moines rapids." 
 
 It was a pleasing incident in his capacity as Major General 
 of the militia of Missouri, to receive the Marquis de Lafayette, 
 and do him military honor upon his visit to St. Louis, the 2pth 
 of April, 1825. 
 
 Embarrassed in his fortunes, Mr. Dodge left Missouri, in 
 1827, for the Fevre river lead mines. That region was then 
 attracting the adventurous and the enterprising. He reached 
 Galena at the time of a threatened outbreak of the Winne- 
 bago Indians, which had alarmed the settlers. He was called 
 upon by Henry and Jean P. B. Gratiot and other prominent 
 citizens to take the lead in the defense of the district. Many 
 had fled into Galena for safety. "The little place" says an 
 eye-witness, "was crowded witri families pouring in from the 
 mines. The flat between the bluff and the river was covered 
 with wagons, families camping in them; block houses \vere 
 erected on the hill, companies forming, drums beating, and 
 General Dodge busily engaged in organizing troops and creat 
 ing order and confidence out of terror and confusion." 1 
 
 Gen. Dodge sent Moses Meeker to induce the Fox Indians, 
 who then possessed the country where is now the city of 
 Dubuque, to take sides against the Winnebagoes, but they de 
 clined any part in the contest. 
 
 The following letter was addressed to Brigadier General 
 Atkinson, U. S. Army, who had come up to the scene of dis 
 turbance from St. Louis with a force of 600 infantry and 150 
 mounted men : 
 
 1 Mrs. Adele P. Gratiot, Wisconsin His. Collections, x, 270. 
 
HENRY DODGE. 13 
 
 GALENA, August 26th, 1827. 
 Gen. H. Atkinson, Prairie du Chien. 
 
 Dear General: Capt. Henry, the chairman of the committee of safety, will 
 wait on you at Prairie du Chien before your departure from that place. He is an 
 intelligent gentleman, who understands well the situation of the country. The 
 letter accompanying Governor Cass's communication to you has excited in 
 some measure the people in this part of the country. As the principal part of 
 the efficient force is preparing to accompany you on your expedition up the 
 Ouisconsin, it might have a good effect to send a small regular force to this part 
 of the country, and in our absence they might render protection to this region. I 
 feel fhe importance of your having as many mounted men as the country can 
 afford, to aid in punishing those insolent Winnebagoes who are wishing to 
 unite, it would seem, in common with all the disaffected Indians on our 
 borders. From information received last night, some straggling Indians have 
 been seen on our frontiers. 
 
 Your friend and obedient servant, H. DODGE. 
 
 With his mounted volunteers, 130 in number, Gen. Dodge, 
 marched to the Wisconsin river, one detachment going to 
 Prairie du Chien, the other to English Prairie, now Muscoda. 
 They scoured both sides of the river to the Portage, driving 
 the Indians before them, taking one prisoner, a lad of fifteen, 
 who had become separated from his band, and was surrounded. 
 He was son of a chief, Winneshiek, whose name he bore. 
 He refused to surrender, but sat on his horse, with cocked 
 gun in hand. The soldiers were about to shoot him when 
 Gen. Dodge, admiring the intrepidity of the boy, rode up and 
 wrenched his gun from him, and saved him from the death he 
 defied. 
 
 Upon reaching the Portage they found that Red Bird and 
 his accomplices in murder had been surrendered to Major 
 Whistler. Decorah, in presence of General Dodge, disclaimed 
 unfriendliness on the part of the Winnebagoes to the United 
 States, and disavowed connection with the murders that had 
 been committed on the Mississippi. Terms of settlement 
 were arranged by Gen. Atkinson, whereupon the volunteers 
 were discharged and returned to their homes. 
 
 The disturbance over, Henry Dodge immediately engaged 
 in " prospecting " the country for lead mines, and on the 3d of 
 November, 1827, established himself near the present village 
 
14 HENRY DODGE. 
 
 of Dodgeville, in what is now Iowa County, Wisconsin. It 
 was the happy hunting grounds of the Winnebagoes, a land 
 of bubbling brooks and crystal springs, of beautiful oak 
 openings, groves of larger timber, and rolling prairies, with a 
 broad ridge separating the waters that flow to the Wisconsin 
 from those flowing to Rock river. It was in that part of the 
 old Northwest Territory (1787), and of the Illinois Territory 
 (1809), lying north of the State of Illinois, w r hich had been 
 attached to the Territory of Michigan upon the admission of 
 the State of Illinois into the Union (1818). Some "diggings" 
 had previously been worked by the Indians, \vho excavated 
 down an incline'd plane, carrying in wood for fuel, heating the 
 rocks, then slacking them with water; charcoal and lime were 
 found in the old works, as also buck-horns which had been 
 used as tools. He made friendly terms with the Indians of 
 the neighborhood, and gave them presents as in the way of 
 rent for occupying their lands. He made a home for his 
 family, and took precautions for their protection and safety. 
 More than a hundred miners soon gathered to the "camp." . 
 The neighborhood resounded with the stroke of the ax and 
 the click of tools- Shafts were sunk in every direction. He 
 discovered the only lode in the region that proved to be of 
 much value. 
 
 It was not long before complaints were made to the United 
 States Indian Agent, at Prairie du Chien, Joseph M. Street, 
 that white men had invaded the country of the Winnebagoes. 
 He reported the matter to the superintendent of Indian affairs 
 at St. Louis (Gen. William Clark), under date of January 
 1 5th, 1828, as follows: 
 
 Gen. Dodge with about fifty men, well armed with rifles and prepared for 
 any event, is near the English Prairie on a northern branch of Rock river, 
 called Piketolika, beyond the lands subject to reservations under the treaty of 
 August 24th, 1816. My information is that the Bear, a Wmnebago chief, with 
 a few followers are at the place, and have sold the privilege to Gen. Dodge. 
 Many are flocking to him from Fever river, and he permits them to join upon 
 paying certain stipulated portions of the original purchase. The ore is more 
 abundant, nearer the -surface, and obtained with greater facility than ever 
 
HENRY DODGE. 15 
 
 > 
 
 known in this country. It is said that he has i-aised about half a million of 
 mineral, smelted from 900 to 1000 bars, and is smelting fifty bars a day. With 
 two negro men in one place he raises about 2000 pounds per day. What will 
 be the effect of these high-handed measures I am at a loss to say. Should the 
 tribe disapprove of the bargain of the Bear with Gen. Dodge, mischief might 
 ensue. The cupidity of the Indians may also be awakened, and serious diffi 
 culties thrown in the way of any contemplated purchase of this section of the 
 country by our Government. Should his removal as a precautionary measure 
 be recommended, I have no force adequate to the accomplishment of the 
 object, and from a conversation with the commanding officer of the fort here, 1 
 a sufficient number could not be prudently detached for the purpose. 
 
 As far as the most active enquiries and acute observation enable me to judge, 
 the Winnebagoes are quietly pursuing their winter's hunt. 
 
 On the 26th of January, 1828, the agent wrote that there 
 were mutterings of discontent among the Winnebagoes; that 
 upon that day a chief (Carumna, the Lame) had said to him: 
 
 We promised not to interrupt the white people at the Fever river mines. 
 Then they were digging near the line: now a large camp has gone far into 
 our country, and are taking lead where it is easy to be got, and where Indians 
 have been making lead many years. We did not expect this, and we want to 
 know \vhen this will stop. The hills are covered with them; more are coming 
 and shoving us off our lands to make lead. We want our Father to stop this 
 before blood may be shed by bad men. You tell us our Great Father is a 
 great chief, and has warriors like the sands on the river side, and that the Win 
 nebagoes ought to be at peace with him and his people; that if they kill his' 
 white children he will go to war with them, and when they are all killed by 
 his great warriors he will take their country. It would be better with the 
 Winnebagoes then, than to live and see white men corn,e and take their lands 
 while they are living." 
 
 I told him their Great Father lived a long way off; that he would remove 
 those white men when it was told him, if they kept their promise and remained 
 at peace. He said: "Well; they would keep their promise." 
 
 The same day the agent sent John Marsh, a sub-agent, to 
 notify Gen. Dodge that he must move off instantly, or he 
 would be removed by military force. In a communication of 
 February yth, 1828, Mr. Marsh reported as follows: 
 
 In obedience to your instructions of the 26th ult., I ascended the Wisconsin 
 to the English Prairie, and thence southwardly up the valley of a small river 
 which comes in at that place, and arrived at the residence of Gen. Dodge on 
 the evening of the fifth day after my departure. Your letter to Gen. Dodge I 
 ^delivered immediately, and I informed him and others who were located in 
 that vicinity that I had a communication to read to them from the Indian agent 
 
 l Major John Fowle, 5th U. S. Infantry. 
 
16 HENRY DODGE. 
 
 at Prairie du Chien. The next morning I read your notice to all the principal 
 miners. Not being able to discover any indications of an intention to remove 
 out of the Indian country, your address was also read and the extracts from 
 the treaty therein referred to. 
 
 Gen. Dodge addressed the people, and explained to them his views of the 
 subject He insisted principally that there was no definite line of demarcation 
 between the lands of the Winnebago Indians and those of the Chippeways, 
 Pottawattamies and Ottaways of the Illinois, on which the citizens of the 
 United States had a right to dig for lead ore, and that until such line should be 
 definitely marked and established it was by no means certain that the place 
 where they were was on the lands of the Winnebagoes. 
 
 The remainder of the day was spent in examining the country. Ore is 
 found in great abundance near the surface, and in large masses. Few of the 
 excavations are more than ten feet deep. The whole country appears to be 
 literally full of lead ore, and the labor of obtaining it is trifling. Traces of old 
 Indian diggings are found throughout the country for several miles. There 
 are also furnaces where the Indians smelted the ore. 
 
 Gen. Dodge resides in a small stockade fort near the principal mine. There 
 are about twenty log houses in the immediate vicinity, besides several more 
 remote. He has a double furnace in constant operation, and a large quantity 
 of lead in bars and in the crude state. From the best information I have been 
 able to obtain there are about one hundred and thirty men engaged in mining 
 at this place, and completely armed with rifles and pistols. I was also informed 
 that there about fifteen Winnebagoes ten or twelve miles distant who fre 
 quently visit the mines, and who have been presented by Gen. Dodge with 
 several hundred dollars worth of provisions and merchandise. When about to 
 return, I was desired by Gen. Dodge to inform you that he should leave the 
 country as soon as he conveniently could. 1 
 
 Immediately upon the receipt of this communication Gen. 
 Street called upon the commanding officer at Fort Crawford 
 for a detachment }f one hundred and eighty troops to remove 
 the trespassers, who replied that as he had only 147 men in 
 
 1 To other parties Gen. Dodge is reported as saying that he would leave if 
 Gen. Street had more guns than he had. The same year Morgan L. Martin 
 made an expedition through the mining region, and speaking of it after a lapse 
 of fifty-nine years said: "Our first objective point was Dodgeville, where 
 Henry Dodge had started a "diggings." We found his cabins surrounded by 
 a formidable stockade, and the miners liberally supplied with ammunition. 
 The Winnebagoes had threatened to oust the little colony, and were displaying 
 an uglv disposition. Dodge entertained vis at his cabin, the walls of which 
 were well covered with guns. He said that he had a man for every gun, and 
 would not leave the country unless the Indians were stronger than he.'' W T is. 
 His. Coll. xi. 397. 
 
HENRY DODGE. 17 
 
 his command, and but 130 of them were fit for duty, it would 
 be out of his power to comply with the request. Arrange 
 ments were soon in progress by the Government for the pur 
 chase of the lands of the Winnebagoes. Provisional articles 
 of agreement were made by Gov. Cass and Pierre Menard, 
 commissioners on the part of the United States, with chiefs of 
 the Winnebago tribe, at Green. Bay, August 25th, 1828. In 
 prospect of those arrangements Henry Dodge held his ground, 
 and was unmolested. He had built the first smelting furnace 
 erected by the whites north of the Illinois state-line. He was 
 present at Prairie du Chien, with Henry Gratipt, Antoine 
 Le Claire, Zachary Taylor, and other witnesses to the treaty, 
 under which the Winnebagoes sold their lands in the mining 
 district to the United States, August ist, 1829. 
 
 From Helena on the Wisconsin river, he shipped lead on 
 flat-bottomed boats to New Orleans. Others reshipped on 
 steamers at St. Louis; he was the only one who made the 
 entire voyage without transfer. The trip took three months 
 and a half, and involved peril and hardship. 
 
 In the first settlement of the mining country, those who ob 
 tained permits to mine were not allowed to cultivate the soil, 
 so that for several years provisions were scarce, and the ex 
 pense of living was great. When the lands were brought 
 into market, he became the purchaser of more than a thousand 
 acres, and here -was his home for nearly forty years. He 
 took part in a patriotic celebration of the 4th of July, and 
 served as President of the Day, in 1829, at Mineral Point, 
 where a discovery of copper had awakened an excitement 
 and called many miners to the place. Upon the organi 
 zation of Iowa county, the same year, under an act of the 
 Legislative Council of Michigan Territory, setting off that 
 part of Crawford county lying south of Wisconsin river, he 
 was elected chief justice of the county, with Wm. S. Hamil 
 ton and James H. Gentry, associate justices, and held the first 
 court in that county. 
 
 The growth of the mining settlements, and their distance 
 
1 8 1 1 I:\RY DODGE. 
 
 from the seat of Government at Detroit, the irregular routes 
 of travel then pursued making it from 800 to 1000 miles, as 
 stated by Gen. Dodge, created a demand for a new territorial 
 organization. The business relations of the miners were with 
 Illinois and Missouri and the General Government, not with 
 the peninsula of Michigan; nor was it to be expected that a 
 delegate elected from the peninsula should understand the 
 wants of a people so remote and detached as they were. He 
 opened a correspondence upon the subject with the delegate 
 to Congress (Austin E. Wing), and laid before him a state 
 ment of the inconveniences and hardships under which the 
 people were laboring, and their claims on the National Legis 
 lature for the division of the Territory. Under date of Dodge- 
 ville, February loth, 1829, he said: 
 
 Laws should be made to suit the condition of the people over whom they 
 are to operate; hence the necessity of a local legislation following a division of 
 the Territory. Another strong reason why we should be separated from the 
 Territory of Michigan is: We are surrounded by Indians, some friendly, 
 others still hostile to the extension of the American empire and to the people 
 of this country. A local legislature and a separate government here would 
 place the people in a situation to defend themselves, and have the aid of the 
 constituted authorities near them. It would be almost impossible to receive 
 aid from the peninsula of Michigan. Mounted companies of riflemen would 
 be the best arm of defence to afford this country protection. Recent events at 
 Rock Island prove the secret influence that exists over the minds of the 
 Indians; 1 and I have no hesitation in saying that so long as that influence 
 exists we will have occasional difficulties with the Indians of our borders. 2 
 
 A bill was reported in Congress, January 6th, 1830, to 
 establish the Territory of Huron, with boundaries embracing 
 what now constitutes the states of Wisconsin, Iowa, Minne 
 sota, a part of the Territory of Dakota, and the upper penin 
 sula of Michigan, but it did not become a law. A somewhat 
 similar bill passed the House of Representatives in 1831, but 
 not the Senate. 3 
 
 1 "The secret influence" came of the communication which the "British band" 
 of the Sacs, who were in arms against the United States in the war of 1812, 
 still kept up with Canada. Their chiefs were in the habit of visiting Canada, 
 and were laden with presents on their return. 
 
 2 His. of Wisconsin, by W. R. Smith, i, 430-432. 
 
 3 History of Wisconsin Territory, by Moses M. Strong, p. 187. 
 
HENRY DODGE. 19 
 
 On the nth of July, 1831, Henry Dodge was elected to the 
 Fifth Legislative Council of Michigan Territory from the 
 counties of Michilmacinac, Brown, Crawford, Chippewa and 
 Iowa. His views of public duty at the time were given in a 
 letter addressed to the electors. 
 
 JULY 8th, 1831. 
 
 My name being before the public as one of those who have been nominated 
 by a meeting of citizens at Green Bay as well as at Mineral Point to represent 
 the people of the Seventh Electoral District in the Legislative Council of the 
 Territory, I consider it a duty I owe the electors as well as myself to state 
 explicitly my views in relation to such measures as have for their object the 
 public good, and the course I will pursue if honored with the confidence of my 
 fellow citizens. 
 
 The wants and condition of the people west of Lake Michigan in my opinion 
 require a speedy division of the Territory and the establishment of a local 
 legislature. Laws then can be made suited to the manners, habits, and con 
 dition of the people residing within the limits of the contemplated territory 
 The relation we stand to the General Government makes it important to us 
 that we should have a direct representation at Washington. Living on the 
 United Stands lands and working their lead mines, it becomes a matter of much 
 interest to the people of the mining country that the rights of pre-emption 
 should be secured to them on the most liberal principles both for the farms 
 they occupy as well as their mineral grounds. 
 
 The General Government by its own act has invited the people of the min 
 ing country to immigrate to this country for the express purpose of making 
 lead. They are neither squatters nor intruders on the public lands. By their 
 enterprise and industry they have fully realized the views of the Government. 
 The people of the United States have had an abundant supply of lead made, 
 and sold to them cheaper than the manufacturer here could afford to make it. 
 The people of the mining country have paid a greater tax, and that directly 
 upon the labor of the whole community, than any equal number of citizens of 
 the United States, and consequently have stronger claims upon the justice and 
 liberality of the Government than any equal number of citizens who have 
 settled on the frontiers. 
 
 Should I be the choice of the electors, on all local subjects the expressed 
 wishes of a majority of the people will govern me. I consider the representa 
 tive bound in his individual capacity to do what the people would do in their 
 collective capacity, could they be present. 
 
 Mr. Martin has been recommended to the people of this electoral district for 
 the Council. He has the reputation of being a young man of talents and in 
 tegrity. 1 It appears desirable to insure success in our election that we should 
 
 1 Hon. Morgan Lewis Martin, of Green Bay; he died Dec. 10, 1887. To his 
 efforts Iowa owes the organization of the original counties of Des Moines and 
 Dubuque, under an act of the Legislative Council of Michigan Territory to 
 
2O HENRY DODGE. 
 
 cordially unite with Brown county. Mr. Wing is before the people as a candi 
 date for the Delegacy to Congress. The course he pursued when in Congress, 
 in advocating a division of the Territory, was such as the condition of the 
 people required. As he truly represented our interests on a former occasion, it 
 would seem we might safely trust him again. 
 
 1 have Seen thus explicit that my fellow-citizens may know my views on 
 all subjects which I consider of interest to them, not with a view to influence 
 them in anv wav; it is the right of every freeman to judge and act for himself; 
 whatever that decision may be as it respects myself, I shall cheerf ully acquiesce 
 in. 
 
 The next winter, in behalf of the people of the mining 
 region he prepared a memorial addressed to Hon. Lewis 
 Cass, Secretary of War, as follows: 
 
 The undersigned residents of that part of the Territory of Michigan in 
 cluding the lead mine district on the Upper Mississippi respectfully ask leave 
 to call your attention to the situation and conditions of the citizens occupying 
 the mineral region. 
 
 In conformity to an act of Congress passed in 1807, the president of the 
 United States from time to time has appointed agents invested with ample 
 powers to lease the United States lead mines. The government of the mines 
 having been confided to the War Department, and the rents accruing to the 
 United States from working these mines having been regulated by that depart 
 ment, is the reason why your memorialists ask leave to call your attention to 
 this subject. 
 
 Your immediate predecessor in office having reduced the rents of the 
 United States mines from 10 to 6 per cent, we take it for granted that power 
 
 lay off and organize counties west of the Mississippi river, approved Septem 
 ber 6th, 1834. In a letter to A. C. Dodge, of May 25th, 1883, he recalled "the 
 rude log cabin in Dodgeville where Hon. Lucius Lyon and myself were hos 
 pitably entertained, in 1828 by your excellent parents. It seems like a dream. 
 I recognize the portly Roman, the saintly wife, the stalwart lads and modest 
 daughters, comprising the household, protected in their well-armed fortress 
 (block house) from the dangers incident to frontier life; and from that early 
 period note the wonderful metamorphosis which time has wrought in the West. 
 I recall also the erect figure and proud bearing of your father when he volun 
 teered to guide us on horseback to the recent discoveries of copper ore at 
 Mineral Point, and to the pits and shafts in the vicinity of Dodgeville, from 
 which his supply of lead ore was hauled to his furnaces, the athletic figures 
 of your brother and yourself, youths of some fifteen or eighteen, laboring 
 about the smelting works with others engaged around the premises. Nor can 
 I forget the appearances of the negro slaves, who clung to your father's family 
 even after they were given freedom, as dutiful children dependent for protection 
 and daily wants upon a parent." Semi- Centennial of Iou>a y at Burlington, 
 PP. 87, 88. 
 
HENRY DODGE. 21 
 
 was properly exercised; and, inasmuch as he held himself at liberty to raise 
 the rents by giving three months' notice, we ask your indulgence while we 
 briefly state the past and present condition of the mining population. 
 
 The relation in which you stood as the executive of this Territory at the time 
 his mining country was settled, as well as the appointment you held with Col. 
 Menard as joint Commissioners on the part of the United States for treaty with 
 the Winnebago and other tribes of Indians, gives you a general knowledge of 
 the condition in which the people settled here. It is well known that the 
 Government of the United States invited the people to this country through 
 their agents at a time when they had no troops on this frontier to afford them 
 protection. In 1827, when the Indians commenced hostilities, the inhabitants 
 being wholly dependent on themselves for protection abandoned their mining 
 operations, and prepared themselves to resist the Winnebago Indians who 
 were located in the immediate vicinity of the mines, and who were actually at 
 war. The loss of one season from working the mines, and the expenses in 
 curred by the people during the winter of 1827-8, left them without the means 
 of returning whence they had emigrated. In this situation they settled that 
 portion of the mining country which they now occupy. In June, 1828, the 
 Superintendent of the United States lead mines located that portion of country 
 at that time occupied by your memorialists, and from that period until the ex 
 tinguishment of the Indian title at Prairie du Chien, in 1829, a period of nearly 
 fourteen months, and before the Government acquired a right from the Indians 
 for the country, the people of the mining country paid upwards of a million 
 pounds of rent lead. It is believed that no tax was ever more punctually and 
 cheerfully paid by smelters to the Government. During the administration 
 of the present Superintendent two and a half years more tax lead has been 
 collected, including arrearages, than the actual rents amounted to for that period. 
 Your memorialists state with confidence that they have paid a greater amount 
 of taxes, and that a direct tax on the labor of the whole community, than any 
 equal number of citizens since the settlement of America; that from 1827 until 
 1829 the smelters not only paid ten per cent on all lead manufactured, but 
 hauled the rent-lead a distance from forty to sixty miles to the United States 
 deposit, at a time when lead was not selling for more than one dollar and fifty 
 cents at the United States lead mines. What was the consequence ? The 
 entire ruin of many of the manufacturers. The Government of the United 
 States received between three and four millions of pounds of rent-lead, and 
 the people of the United States an abundant supply of the article of lead upon 
 cheaper terms than at any preceding period. The low and depressed price of 
 lead was the principal cause, no doubt, that your predecessor reduced the rents 
 of the mines, and as the Government has derived all the advantages that could 
 have been anticipated in a national point of view from the exploration and 
 working their mines, and as the manufacturers and miners have not had time 
 to realize the advantages resulting from a reaction in the price of lead, your 
 memorialists confidently rely on your justice and the liberality of the Govern 
 ment, that they will foster and protect their own manufacturers of lead, to the 
 exclusion of those of foreign powers; and as lead is a necessary article in time 
 of war, we trust you will carefully examine the subject in all its bearings before 
 
22 * HENRY DODGE. 
 
 you increase the rent of the lead mines, and that you will urge upon Congress 
 the justice and propriety of not changing the present tariff on lead. 
 
 Your memorialists ask leave to call your attention to a subject of great 
 interest and vital importance to them. Should the Government pass a law for 
 tiie survey and sale of the United States lead mines of this country upon the 
 same principles observed in the sale of their mines in Missouri, we earnestly 
 hope vou will recommend to the consideration of Congress the justice and 
 propriety of granting to each miner who has complied with the regulations 
 made for the government of the mines the privilege of working out all dis 
 coveries made on mineral lots or surveys. To sell the mines without making 
 this reservation would deprive the most enterprising and industrious part of 
 the population of their all. Miners who have had mineral lands in their pos 
 session for years might have them purchased by speculators, and be left with 
 out resource or means, from not having had time to compensate themselves for 
 the low prices of mineral, which sold in this mining country for two years from 
 five to eight dollars per thousand pounds. 
 
 Your memorialists consider it fortunate for them that you are placed at the 
 head of the War Department of the Government, knowing that you are in 
 timately acquainted with all the circumstances attending the settlement of the 
 mining country, surrounded as they have been by Indians secretly hostile to 
 the American people as well as under the influence of the English; and the 
 friendly regard you evinced for the protection and safety of the citizens of this 
 mining region in 1828 is remembered with gratitude. Your memorialists con 
 fidently believe you will render them all the aid in your power consistent with 
 the relation you stand to the government. 
 
 To further the objects of this memorial, he also addressed 
 letters to a number of members of Congress of like tenor 
 with the following: 
 
 DODGEVILLE, MICHIGAN TERRITORY, January 26th, 1832. 
 Hon. Elias K. Kane, 
 
 United States Senator from Illinois, 
 Washington City : 
 
 The interest you have heretofore taken in this remote part of the Territory 
 of Michigan, as well as the particular situation of this countrv, is the reason I 
 take the liberty of addressing ypu at this time. 
 
 The people of the mining country require the fostering protection of the 
 General Government. They have not had time since the favorable reaction of 
 the price of lead to compensate themselves for their losses. A reduction of the 
 present tariff on the importation of foreign lead would completely destroy the 
 prospects of the manufacture of lead in this country. Great as the diversitv 
 of opinions appears to be on the tariff, it would seem that as lead is a necessary 
 and important article in peace and in war the National Legislature should 
 examine the subject in all its bearings before thev change the tariff on lead. 
 
 The people of this remote region are greatly interested in a division of the 
 Territory during this session of Congress. Our relations being entirely with 
 
HENRY DODGE. 23 
 
 the General Government, and the great distance we are from the seat of Terri 
 torial Legislature, place the inhabitants here in a most unpleasant situation. We 
 have two Councillors elected from five counties. The distance we are from 
 Detroit, and having but two representatives out of thirteen which forms the 
 Council, makes the representation west of Lake Michigan merely nominal. 
 The rapid growth of the peninsula of Michigan, and the interest the people 
 have in becoming a state as early as possible, would give us but a feeble 
 voice in the Council ; and however talented and zealous the Delegate from 
 Michigan may be in representing truly the condition of the people here, 
 it is impossible from the distance he resides from us that he can understand 
 well the condition of this country. We want a local Legislature here, where 
 laws can be enacted suited to the condition of the people. Laws are enacted 
 six months before they reach us, and laws enacted for the peninsula of Michi 
 gan do not suit our condition. 
 
 Another strong reason why we should be severed from Michigan is, we are 
 surrounded by Indians, some friendly, others secretly unfriendly to the Ameri 
 can people and jealous of the growth of the country. Should they attack us., 
 we could derive no advantage from the constituted authorities of Michigan, 
 but would have to depend on ourselves for protection. It is true the United 
 States have troops on our borders, but we might be taken by surprise, and the 
 settlements entirely destroyed before they could give us aid. We want the 
 constituted authorities near us, and a proper force of mounted riflemen or gun 
 men, who could be brought together at the shortest notice. This country is 
 well adapted to the horse service, and they are able' to act promptly and 
 efficiently. We are one of the most exposed frontiers of the United States 
 and should be entitled to those rights and privileges which have been extended 
 to others on the frontier. 
 
 The particular condition of the people .of this detached territory of the United 
 States must make my apology for the length of this communication. 
 I am, dear sir, with sentiments of the greatest regard, 
 
 Sincerely and truly your friend, 
 
 H. DODGE. 
 
 NOTE. Lyman C. Draper, L.L.D., of Madison, Wisconsin, 
 has kindly furnished the following additional information as to 
 the campaign of General Dodge up the Missouri river in 1814, 
 from personal reminiscences given to him by General Dodge 
 
 in 1855: 
 
 There had been considerable mischief done by the Indians at the Boone's 
 Lick settlement, where, among others, a man who was a potter by trade had 
 been killed ; and being the only person of that trade in the region his loss was 
 seriously felt. The settlement was too weak to strike any effectual blow in 
 turn. General Dodge, then of St. Genevieve, who had been appointed by 
 President Madison the successor of Gen. William Clark in command of the 
 militia, when the latter was made Governor of Missouri Territory, waived his 
 
24 HENRY DODGE. 
 
 rank as General, and took the command as Lieut. Colonel of mounted men, 
 under orders of Brigadier General Benjamin Howard, U. S. Army, to march 
 to the relief of the Boone's Lick settlement, in September, 1814. 
 
 The command consisted of 350 mounted men, under Capt. John W. Thomp 
 son, of St. Louis, Capt. Isaac Van Bibber, of Loutre Lick, Capt. Henry Poston, 
 of the Missouri Mining Region, Sarshall Cooper, of the Boone's Lick settle 
 ment, and Capt. Daughertv, of Cape Girardeau. Nathaniel Cook (now, 1855, 
 aged and blind, of Potosi, Mo.) and Daniel M. Boone were the Majors; and 
 Ben. Cooper, of the Boone's Lick settlement, a veteran of the Indian wars of 
 Kentucky, was along; and Gen. Dodge, having some blank commissions with 
 him, appointed him a Major, wishing him to serve on account of his experience. 
 He was an elder brother of Capt. Sarshall Cooper. David Barton, afterwards 
 the celebrated U. S. Senator of Missouri, was a volunteer in Thompson's 
 companv, refusing anv rank, only tendering Gen. Dodge any services he might 
 render in the way of aiding him in writing. 
 
 There were also about fortv friendly Shawanoes along, under four war 
 captains, Na-kour-me, Kish-Kal-le-wa, Pap-pi-qua, Wa-pe-pil-le-se, the two 
 latter were fullv seventy years old, and had both served in the early Indian 
 wars against Kentucky. 
 
 This force crossed the Missouri from the northern to the southern bank at 
 the Arrow Rock by swimming the stream. Gen. Dodge selected six of his 
 most active men, good swimmers on horseback, for the advance; the others 
 followed, flanked by canoes, and in the rear by canoes, as a vanguard above 
 and below the main body, stemming the swift current. When about half way 
 over they struck the. strong eddy, which soon wafted them to the southern 
 bank in safety. Two hours were consumed in crossing the river with the 
 horses, baggage, etc. 
 
 The friendly Shawanoes found and reported the locality of the hostile 
 Miamis, who had thrown up a small fort. Dodge's men pushed forward 
 several miles up the river, and in the night neared the enemy in what is now- 
 known as the Miami Bend, in Saline County, and soon surrounded them. 
 Ascertaining this fact, the Miamis, knowing it would be folly to resist such 
 odds, proposed, through the Shawanoes, to surrender themselves as prisoners. 
 Gen. Dodge called a council of his officers, and asked their advice, commenc 
 ing with the Coopers and other Boone's Lick officers. They all advised re 
 ceiving them as prisoners, and that their lives must be sacredly preserved. 
 Gen. Dodge lold the officers that he should hold them personally responsible 
 for their own conduct and that of their men in this particular. 
 
 The Indians now formally surrendered, 31 warriors, and 122 women and 
 children, 153 in all. 
 
 The next morning, while Capt. Cooper and others were scouring around in 
 search of hidden property, the Captain found the well known rifle of the poor 
 potter slain in the Boone's Lick region; and in rage he came galloping to Gen. 
 Dodge, and demanded the surrender of the Indian who had murdered the 
 potter, to make an example of him. Gen. Dodge peremptorily declined, when 
 Cooper threatened in behalf of his companv, who were dashing up on their 
 horses, to kill the whole of the Indians; and his men as by common consent 
 
HENRY DODGE. 25 
 
 cocked their rifles in shooting attitude. The Indian warriors seeing the 
 threatening aspect threw themselves upon their knees, and, crossing their 
 breasts rapidly and repeatedly, uttered earnest prayers to the Great Spirit, or 
 rather to the sun, then just rising in its morning splendor. Gen. Dodge, 
 hearing the clicking of the locks of the rifles of the Boone's Lick men, and 
 fearing the consequences, but without ever turning towards them, drew his 
 sword, and thrust its point within six inches of Capt. Cooper's breast, and, 
 reminding him of his pledge to protect the Indians in their surrender, said that 
 he would never consent to their being slaughtered in cold blood, and that if 
 Cooper's men fired on them Capt. Cooper himself should instantly suffer the 
 consequences. 
 
 At this critical moment, Major Daniel M. Boone came dashing up to Gen. 
 Dodge's side, and said that he would stand by him to the last; and he taunted 
 Cooper with the treachery of the act he proposed. Dodge was firm, never 
 taking his eye from Cooper's. Boone presented a determined countenance, as 
 brave men always do when actuated by noble purposes. At length Cooper 
 yielded, and Dodge ordered him to take his place in the line, and march away. 
 He doggedlv obeved, and his men rode by. The Indians now jumped to their 
 feet with expressions of joy and gratitude to Dodge and Boone. The 
 Shawanoes, too, were much gratified that the Miamis were spared. 
 
 Kish-Ka-le-wa visited Gen. Dodge at Fort Leaven worth, in 1835, and 
 recognized his old commander. 
 
 Gen. Dodge looks back upon his conduct in saving these prisoners as one of 
 the happiest acts of his life. 
 
 II. 
 
 IN THE BLACK HAWK WAR, 1832.' 
 
 The Black Hawk War was the immediate occasion of the 
 opening of Iowa to civilization in 1833. Had Black Hawk been 
 content to have staid in peace upon his lands west of the Missis 
 sippi, he would not have been disturbed there, at least for a num 
 ber of years; probably not during his life-time. It was his inva 
 sion of Illinois that cost him Iowa, as often in grasping another's 
 men lose their own. That war also hastened the settlement of 
 Northern Illinois, which it was intended to prevent, and also the 
 settlement of what is now Southern Wisconsin, as it led immedi- 
 
 i Of the many accounts of the Black Hawk war, the most clear and relia 
 ble are bv John A. Wakefield and Albert Sidney Johnston. The copy of the 
 History of the Black Hawk War by Wakefield in the Library of the State His 
 torical Society of Wisconsin was presented by the author to James G. Edwards, 
 the founder of the Burlington Hawk-Eye. Chapter III of the Life of General 
 Johnston contains valuable portions of the journals he kept at this time. 
 
26 HENRY DODGE. 
 
 ately to treaties with the Winnebagoes and Pottawattamies, 
 under which those tribes agreed to leave the lands they had 
 long possessed lying between Lake Michigan and the Missis 
 sippi river. The fact that some of those Indians had sympa 
 thized with Black Hawk, and had fought under him, intensified 
 the demand that those tribes should be removed. It is thus a 
 historic fact that the founding of the states of Wisconsin and 
 Iowa, and of the city of Chicago, would have been delayed 
 an uncertain number of years, but for the Black Hawk war. 
 
 Conspicuous among those who were most efficient in secur 
 ing these results was Henry Dodge. He was entitled to the 
 honor assigned him in his life time, as a "captain of aggressive 
 civilization." It is the object of this paper to give a narrative 
 of his part in that war. 
 
 In April, 1832, information reached the mines that Black 
 Hawk had crossed the Mississippi into the State of Illinois, in 
 violation of stipulations made with him by Gen. Gaines on the 
 3Oth of June, 1831, and that he was upon the warpath. There 
 were fears and rumors that the Winnebagoes of Rock River 
 and the Pottawattamies of the country about the head waters 
 of Illinois River and about Chicago, would join him. Henry 
 Dodge at once called the miners together at Mineral Point. 
 They deemed it prudent to send a messenger to Rock River, 
 for the purpose of ascertaining the situation, and to learn the 
 strength and purposes of Black Hawk. Daniel Morgan 
 Parkinson, who came to the mines in 1827, and was one of 
 the first settlers at Mineral Point, was chosen for the service. 
 He took dispatches from Henry Dodge to Henry Gratiot, the 
 U. S. sub-Indian Agent for the Winnebagoes, and to John 
 Dixon, who was a friend of the Sacs and Foxes, at Dixon's 
 Ferry. On this errand Mr. Parkinson learned that Black 
 Hawk came to the Prophet's village on the 28th of April 
 with his warriors in battle array, and marched to Mr. Gratiot's 
 lodge, where the neutral flag was flying, and took it down 
 and hoisted the British colors, and treated Mr. Gratiot as a 
 prisoner, until he was ransomed by his clerk, George Cub- 
 
HENRY DODGE. 27 
 
 bage, 1 or Black Hawk was propitiated, with ten plugs of 
 tobacco; and that in reply to a "talk" sent by Gen. Atkinson, 
 advising the hostile chiefs, to recross the Mississippi, to settle 
 down in peace, and plant their corn, and warning them if they 
 refused that his troops would sweep over them like fire over 
 the prairies, Black^Hawk sent word that their hearts were bad, 
 that they would not return, that Gen. Atkinson would find the 
 grass green and not easily burnt, and that they would fight, 
 if he sent his warriors among them. Black Hawk's force 
 was estimated at about five hundred, subsequently increased by 
 Winnebago and other Indians to about eight hundred warriors. 
 Meanwhile, Gen. Atkinson, on the 25th of April, had 
 directed Colonel Dodge, as commanding the militia of Iowa 
 County, Michigan Territory, to raise as many mounted men 
 as could be obtained in that County. The first company was 
 mustered into service on the 2d day of May, William Schuyler 
 Hamilton, Captain, who had been with Henry Dodge in the 
 Winnebago disturbance of 1827. While other companies were 
 being organized, the following letter was sent to the Governor 
 of Illinois, who was then at Dixon's -Ferry with a thousand 
 volunteers from that State: 
 
 MINERAL POINT, May 8, 1832. 
 His Excellency John Reynolds: 
 
 DEAR SIR. The exposed situation of the settlements of the mining district 
 to the attack of the Indian enemy makes it a matter of deep and vital interest 
 to us that we should be apprised of the movements of the mounted men under 
 your Excellency's immediate command. Black Hawk and his band, it is stated 
 by the last advices we have had on this subject, was to locate himself about 
 twenty miles above Dixon's Ferry, on Rock river. Should the mounted men 
 under your command make an attack on that party, we would be in great dan 
 ger here; for should you defeat Black Hawk, the retreat would be on our set^ 
 tlements. There are now collected within twenty miles above our settlements 
 about two hundred Winnebagoes, and should the Sauks be forced into the Win 
 nebago country, many of the wavering of that nation would unite with the 
 
 i George Cubbage taught school at Dubuque in the winter of 1833-4; was 
 door-keeper at the first session of the First Legislative Assembly of Wisconsin 
 Ter., at Belmont, and Adjutant General of the Ter. ; one of the Commissioners 
 "for laying off the towns of Fort Madison, Burlington, Belleview, Dubuque, 
 etc.," under acts of Congress, July 2d, 1836, March 3d, 1837; and an early 
 settler in Jackson County, Iowa. 
 
28 HENRY DODGE. 
 
 hostile Sauks. I have no doubt it is part of the policy of this banditti to unite 
 themselves as well with the Pottawattamies as Winnebagoes. It is absolutely 
 important to the safety of this country that the people here should be apprised 
 of the intended movements of your army. Could you detach a part of your 
 command across the Rock river, you would 'afford our settlements immediate 
 protection, and we would promptly unite with you, with such a mounted force 
 as we could bring into the field. Judge Gentry, Colonel Moore and James P. 
 Cox, Esq., will wait on your Excellency and receive your orders. 
 
 I am, sir, with respect and esteem, your obedient servant. H. DOIX;K, 
 
 Commanding Michigan Militia. 
 
 The Illinois troops were not in a situation to act upon the 
 suggestion of Col. Dodge. They were soon demoralized by 
 Stillman's defeat, May I4th, upon which Governor Reynolds 
 the same night made a call for two thousand men, and sent an 
 express to inform Col. Dodge of the disaster, and of the immi 
 nent danger to which the mining settlements were exposed. 
 Meanwhile, Col. Dodge had gone himself on a scouting expe 
 dition, with a party of twenty-seven men, including his sons, 
 Henry L., and Augustus C., to learn the movements of the 
 enemy, and had approached near to the scene of the disaster, 
 of which he was apprised the day following. Hastening back 
 to the mining settlements, he hurried forward the organization 
 of mounted companies, and the erection of stockade forts for 
 home protection against skulking bands of savages. Eight 
 additional companies were mustered into service before the 
 2Oth day of May. Many of the volunteers furnished their 
 own horses. In other cases the horses were purchased or 
 impressed. The people of nearly all the settlements, in the 
 language of the time, "forted." Fort Union, at his home, was 
 Col. Dodge's headquarters, His wife, when advised to repair 
 to Galena for safety, refused, saying, "My husband and sons 
 are between me and the Indians; I am safe so long as they 
 live." No Spartan mother displayed greater courage. She 
 could read her Bible and say her prayers and lie down and 
 sleep until morning, though her youthful daughters could 
 sleep, only to dream of Indians, and of their mother being 
 scalped and murdered by the savages. Speaking from his 
 own recollections fifty-one years afterwards, A. C. Dodge 
 
HENRY DODGE. 29 
 
 said: "Fathers were frequently called to defend their own 
 thresholds, and mothers and sisters moulded bullets, and car 
 ried water, filling barrels in order to have a supply during the 
 anticipated siege. My mother and sisters have done both. 
 The cows were milked, and God was worshiped under the 
 surveillance of armed men !" ' Fort Defiance was at the farm 
 of D. M. Parkinson, five miles southeast of Mineral Point; 
 Fort Hamilton, at Hamilton's Lead Diggings, now Wiota; 
 Mound Fort, at the Blue Mounds. 
 
 To keep the neighboring Winnebagoes from joining Black 
 Hawk was a matter of first concern. For this purpose Col. 
 Dodge and his familiar and trusted friend, Henry Gratiot, the 
 sub-agent of the Winnebagoes, with fifty mounted volunteers 
 from Iowa County, commanded by Captains James H. Gentry 
 and John H. Rountree, proceeded to one of their principal 
 villages, near the headquarters of the Four Lakes, seven 
 miles northwest of the present capital of Wisconsin, and held 
 a Talk with them on the 25th of May. Col. Dodge said: 
 
 My Friends. Mr. Gratiot, your father, and myself have met to have a talk 
 with you. 
 
 Having identified us both as your friends in making a sale of your country 
 to the United States, 2 you will not suspect us for deceiving you. 
 
 The Sacs have shed the blood of our people. The Winnebago Prophet and, 
 as we are told, one hundred of your people have united with Black Hawk and 
 his party. Our people are anxious to know in what relation you stand to us, 
 whether as friends or enemies. 
 
 Your residence being near our settlements, it is necessary and proper that 
 we should explicitly understand from you the chiefs and warriors whether or 
 not you intend to aid, harbor or conceal the Sacs in vour country. To do so 
 will be considered as a declaration of war on your part. 
 
 Your great American Father is the friend of the Red Skins. He wishes to 
 make you happy. Your chiefs who have visited Washington know him well. 
 He is mild in peace, but terrible in war. He will ask of no people what is not 
 right, and he will submit to nothing wrong. His power is great; he commands 
 all the warriors of the American people. If you strike us you strike him; and 
 to make war on us, you will have vour country taken from you, your annuity 
 
 1 Semi-Centennial of Iowa, p. 72. 
 
 2 H. Dodge and H. Gratiot were present at the treaty, Aug. i, 1829, by 
 which the Winnebago Nation agreed to relinquish the mining country lying 
 between the Rock and Wisconsin rivers to the U. S. 
 
30 HENRY DODGE. 
 
 nu>nev will hi- forfeited, and the lives of your people must be lost. We speak 
 the words of the truth. We hope they will sink deep in your hearts. 
 
 The Sacs have killed eleven of our people, and wounded three. Our people 
 have killed eleven of the Sacs; it was hut a small detachment of our army 
 engaged with the Sacs; when the main hodv of our army appeared, the Sacs 
 ran. The Sacs have given you bad counsel. They tell you lies, and no truth. 
 Stop vour ears to their words. They know death and destruction follows 
 them. They want you to unite with them, wishing to place you in the same 
 situation with themselves. 
 
 We have told you the consequences of uniting with our enemies. We hope, 
 however, the bright chain of friendship will still continue, that we may travel the 
 same road in friendship under a clear sky. We have always been your friends. 
 We have said you would be honest and true to vour treaties. Do not let your 
 actions deceive us. So long as you are true and faithful, we will extend the 
 hand of friendship to you and your children; if unfaithful, you must expect to 
 share the fate of the Sacs. 
 
 The Winnebago chiefs gave assurance^ of friendship and 
 fidelity, and promised to remain at peace. Col. Dodge re 
 turned to his headquarters. A few days afterward, May 3Oth, 
 learning by an express from Gen. Atkinson that Rachel and 
 Sylvia Hall had been carried into captivity from near Ottawa, 
 Illinois, on the 2ist of May, when their parents were scalped, 
 he took prompt measures to procure their release. A band 
 of Winnebagoes under White Crow were stimulated by the 
 offer of two thousand dollars made by Gen. Atkinson, to go 
 after them. They found them in a Sac camp, and obtained 
 their release, and brought them to the Fort at Blue Mound on 
 the 3d of June. The same day, half-an-hour after their arri 
 val, Col. Dodge, who had been warned of an apprehended 
 Indian attack, came upon the ground with a mounted force. 
 He gave White Crow and his band warm greetings, and pro 
 cured for them a large beef steer, of which they made a feast. 
 He prepared comfortable quarters for them at night in miners' 
 cabins, and congratulated himself upon the good disposition 
 they seemed to manifest, while not free from suspicion of their 
 duplicity. In the course of the night he was awakened by J. 
 P. Bion Gratiot, brother of Henry Gratiot, who rushed into 
 his cabin, and bade him rouse up and prepare for action. He 
 said that the Indians had left the quarters given them, had 
 
HENRY DODGE. 31 
 
 gone into the brush, that White Crow was stirring them up to 
 hostility, speaking in insulting terms of Col. Dodge as "no 
 great shakes of a fighter," saying that Black Hawk would 
 make mince meat of him, as he had of Major Stillman, that 
 the whites could not right, that they were a soft-shelled breed, 
 that they would not stand before the yell of the Red man, but 
 would run upon the approach of danger, and stick their heads 
 in the brush like turkeys or quails, that when the spear was 
 applied to them they would squawk like ducks ; and he imita 
 ted in Indian style the spearing and scalping at Stillman's 
 defeat, and said that all the whites who marched against the 
 Indians would be served the same way. White Crow told 
 Gratiot that he was friendly to him, and advised him to quit 
 Col. Dodge, and go home, and stay there. Furthermore, 
 said Gratiot, the Indians have been grinding their knives, 
 tomahawks and spears. 
 
 Col. Dodge heard these reports without saying a word; 
 but no one, says an eye-witness, 1 could mistake the raging 
 storm within his breast. He jumped to his feet, as his 
 informant ended, and, although ordinarily cool and collected, 
 he indulged upon the occasion in some severity and invective. 
 "Do not be alarmed," he said;" I will see that no harm befalls 
 you; in case of an attack, I will stand by you until the last 
 drop of blood is spilt. I will show the White Crow that we 
 are not of the soft-shelled breed, that we can stand the spear 
 without sqawking, that we will not run and stick our heads 
 in the bush." He then called the officer of the guard and his 
 interpreter, and, taking with them six of the guard, went to 
 where the Indians were, and took White Crow and five others 
 of his band into custody, marched them to a cabin, and 
 ordered them to lie down and remain there until morning; he 
 himself laid down by them, having first placed a strong guard 
 around the cabin, and a double guard around the whole 
 encampment. The next day the whole band, despite the com 
 plaint that their feet were sore from their long travel in bring- 
 
 i Peter Parkinson, Jr., son of D. M. Parkinson. Wis. His. Coll. X. 184-212. 
 
32 HENRY DODGE. 
 
 ing in the Hall girls, were marched to Morrison's Grove, 
 fifteen miles west of the Blue Mounds, where Col. Dodge held 
 a "Talk" with them in the presence of the agent, June 5th, 
 and told them of his apprehensions that they were in sym 
 pathy with Black Hawk, as many of their young men were in 
 his ranks, and that he must hold them as enemies, unless they 
 gave positive assurance that they would remain neutral. White 
 Crow answered that, although a few of their young men 
 whose- warlike temper could not be controlled were with 
 Black Hawk, the Winnebagoes generally were friendly to the 
 whites. Col. Dodge determined to be on the safe side, and 
 stipulated to hold three of the Winnebagoes, Whirling Thunder, 
 Spotted Arm, and Little Priest, as hostages for the good faith 
 of the nation, and they were retained in the fort at Gratiot's 
 Grove until the end of the month. It is the testimony of those 
 who were upon the ground that this action averted an attack 
 of the whole force of Winnebagoes who were waiting near 
 the Four Lakes, if a favorable opportunity offered, to make a 
 strike for Black Hawk; "but the timely movement of Col. 
 Dodge foiled them." The Hall sisters were sent by way of 
 Galena and St. Louis to their friends. 
 
 On the 6th of June a mounted company from Galena, com 
 manded by Capt. J. W. Stephenson, joined Col. Dodge's forces 
 at Gratiot's Grove. The isolation of the mining district from 
 the rest of the country threw the people of that district upon 
 themselves for protection, and made concerted action on the 
 part of those in the State of Illinois and of those in Michigan 
 Territory a necessity. There were some differences as to 
 proper means for defence, and some jealousies arose, but a 
 feeling of confidence in the leadership of Col. Dodge obtained 
 throughout the region. While at Gratiot's Grove, he pre 
 pared the following address to the Volunteers now number 
 ing about 200 mounted men, which he delivered to them the 
 next day, upon the march to Rock River, at Kirker's Place, 
 where they camped, on the old "Sucker trail," that ran along a 
 branch of Apple River, in what is now Rush Township, Jo 
 Davies County, Illinois: 
 
HENRY DODGE. 33 
 
 VOLUNTEERS: We have met to take the field. The tomahawk and scalp 
 ing knife are drawn over the heads of the weak and defenceless inhabitants of 
 our country. Although the most exposed people in the United States and 
 Territories, living as we do, surrounded by savages, not a drop of the blood of 
 the people of this part of the Territory of Michigan has been shed. 1 Let us 
 unite, my brethren in arms. Let harmony, union, and concert exist; be vigi 
 lant, silent and cool. Discipline and obedience to orders will make small bodies 
 of men formidable and invincible; without order and subordination, the largest 
 bodies of armed men are no better than armed mobs. We have everything 
 dear to freemen at stake, the protection of our frontiers, and the lives of our 
 people. Although we have entire confidence in the Government of our 
 choice, knowing that ours is a Government of the people, where the equal 
 rights of all are protected, and that the power of our countrvmen can crush 
 this savage foe, yet it will take time for the Government to direct a force suf 
 ficient to give security and peace to the frontier people. 
 
 I have, Gentlemen, as well as yourselves, entire confidence both in the 
 President of the United States and the present distinguished individual 2 at the 
 head of the War Department; our Indian relations are better understood by 
 them than by any two citizens who could be selected to fill their stations. 
 They have often met our savage enemies on the field of battle where they 
 have conquered them, as well as in council. They understand the artifice, 
 cunning and stratagem for which our enemies are distinguished. They know 
 our wants, and will apply the remedy. In General Atkinson, in whose pro 
 tection this frontier is placed, I have entire confidence. You will recollect the 
 responsibility he assumed for the people of this country in 1827, by ascending 
 the Wisconsin with six hundred infantry and one hundred and fifty mounted 
 men, to demand the murderers of our people. Many of us had the honor 
 of serving under him on that occasion. He has my entire confidence both as 
 a man of talents in his profession, a soldier and a gentleman. If our Govern 
 ment will let him retain the command, he will give us a lasting peace that will 
 insure us tranquillity for years. He knows the resources as well as the 
 character of the Indians we have to contend with; let the Government furnish 
 him the means, and our troubles will be of short duration. 
 
 What, my fellow soldiers, is the character of the foe we have to contend 
 with? They are a faithless banditti of savages who have violated all treaties. 
 . They have left the country and the nation of which they form a part. The 
 policy of these mauraders and robbers of our people appears to be, to 
 enlist the disaffected and restless of other nations, which will give them 
 strength and resources to murder our people and burn their property. They 
 are the enemies of all people, both the whites and Indians. Their thirst of 
 blood is not to be satisfied. They are willing to bring ruin and destruction on 
 other Indians, in order to glut their vengeance on us. The humane policy of 
 
 1 The same day Col. Dodge was preparing this address, James Aubrey was 
 killed bv a skulking band of Indians, at the Blue Mounds, June 6th. Smith's 
 His. of Wis., III. 209. 
 
 2 Lewis Cass. 
 
34 HENRY DOIX;K. 
 
 the Government will not apply to these deluded people. Like the pirates of 
 the sea, their hand is against every man; and the hand of every man should 
 be against them. The future growth and prosperity of our country is to be 
 decided for years by the policy that is now to be pursued by the Government 
 in relation to the Indians. 
 
 Our existence as a people is at stake; and gentlemen, great as the resources 
 of our Government are, the- security of the lives of our people depends upon 
 our vigilance, caution and bravery. The assistance of our Government may 
 be too late for us. Let us not await the arrival of our enemies at our doors, but 
 advance upon them, fight them, watch them, and hold them in check. Let us 
 avoid surprise and ambuscades. Let every volunteer lie with his arms in his 
 hands, ready for action, so that when each arises to his feet the line of battle 
 will be formed. If attacked in the night, we will charge the enemy at a quick 
 pace and even front. The eyes of the people are upon us ; let us endeavor by 
 our actions to retain the confidence and support of our countrymen. 
 
 Col. Dodge with his command proceeded on his march, 
 passing over the ground of several recent Indian murders, 
 near the present town of Polo, Illinois. They buried the dead, 
 so far as their remains could be found; among others, those 
 of Felix St. Vrain. 1 At this point Capt. Stephenson with his 
 men returned to Galena. The next evening they encamped 
 at Hickory Point, where five of their horses were stolen that 
 night by the Indians. After reaching the camp of the U. S. 
 regular troops at Dixon's Ferry, where Gen. Hugh Brady, 
 who had just come from Detroit, was in command, Col. Dodge 
 with twenty-five men escorted Gen. Brady to the rapids of 
 the Illinois River (now Ottawa), where Gen. Atkinson was 
 receiving new levies of Illinois volunteers. Here plans of the 
 
 i Mr. St. Vrain was the trustworthy and meritorious U. S. Agent for the 
 confederate tribe of Sacs and Foxes, including Black Hawk's band. He was 
 distinguished for intelligence, integrity, and for the deep interest he had mani 
 fested in the welfare of all the Indians confided to his charge. He spoke their 
 language, and they, according to their custom, had formally adopted him not 
 only as a friend, but a brother. Notwithstanding all this, when the parties 
 confronted each other on the 22d of May, St. Vrain, in the act of extending the 
 hand of friendship, and addressing words of imploration to the Chief " Little 
 Bear," not to spare his life, but to desist from war against the whites, was shot 
 down with his associates by those whom he had fed and sheltered, and with 
 whom he was as intimate as a brother. The bodies of himself and companions 
 were mangled in the most shocking manner. Mr. St. Vrain was a brother- 
 in-law of ex-Senator George W. Jones, of this State. A. C. Dodge. Semi- 
 Centennial of Iowa, p. 73. 
 
HENRY DODGE. 35 
 
 campaign were considered. It being impossible for the U. S. 
 Commissary to supply Col. Dodge's command with sub 
 sistence and forage, Gen. Atkinson directed Col. Dodge, by 
 letter of June nth, 1832, to procure them. Having received 
 his orders, Col. Dodge returned to Dixon's Ferry, reaching 
 there about midnight, and early the following morning, June 
 1 3th, put his command in motion for Gratiot's Grove, where, 
 after two days march they arrived worn and fatigued. For 
 eight days they had been constantly on the march; the horses 
 with no subsistence but grass. The men were remanded to 
 their respective forts for a few days, to recruit their horses. 
 Col. Dodge delivered a "Talk" from Gen. Atkinson to the 
 Winnebago hostages, and sent them with a confidential man, 
 Emile, 1 a French trader, on an expedition to ascertain, if pos 
 sible, where the Sacs were encamped. He addressed the 
 following letter to a merchant at Galena with reference to 
 supplies for his troops, and for families in the mining district 
 who had been driven from their homes, and who were now 
 destitute and unable to provide for themselves in the suspen 
 sion of all labor and business: 
 
 GRATIOT'S GROVE, June i4th, 1832. 
 
 DEAR SIR: I was at the headquarters of Gen. Atkinson, at the mouth of 
 the Fox River of the Illinois, on the nth inst. He is actively engaged in mak 
 ing preparations to march against the hostile Indians. He will bring into the 
 field about 3,000 men. I will copy for your information that part of my order 
 as respects the supplies of provisions for the use of the troops under my com 
 mand : "Your detached situation renders it impossible for me to furnish sub 
 sistence for your troops; you will therefore procure supplies upon the best 
 terms practicable, and in the issue not exceed the U. S. allowance, and at the 
 same time be careful to have the accounts kept accurately." 
 
 I have copied that part of Gen. Atkinson's order in which you are interested. 
 
 Although it would seem from his order that the rations furnished those not 
 under arms would not be paid for, the Government of the United States will 
 certainly pay for rations furnished the inhabitants, the protection of whose 
 
 i Mentioned in the Treaty with the Winnebagoes, at Prairie du Chien, 
 August ist, 1829, as "Oliver Amelle:" U. S. Statutes at Large, VII, 324; 
 written "Emmell," by Col. Dodge in his letter of July 141*1, 1833, to Gen. 
 Atkinson ; he built the first house, a trading house, where is now the Capital 
 of Wisconsin. Wis. His. Coll., X. 69. 
 
36 HENRY DODGE. 
 
 lives makes it necessary for them to fort themselves, to avoid the tomahawk 
 and scalping knife. The people of the country have been invited here by the 
 agents of the Government to settle in this country, to work the lead mines. 
 Thev are neither intruders nor squatters on the public lands. The Govern 
 ment has by the industry and enterprise of the people of the mil. ing country 
 derived all the advantages which they could have anticipated in the working 
 and exploration of their mines. The Government has no regular troops here 
 to afiord protection to our exposed settlements, and I have no hesitation in 
 saying that the rations furnished women and children will be paid for by a 
 special appropriation to be made by Congress. 
 
 The only difference with you, as I confidently believe, will be that the 
 amount due you for furnishing the -troops under my im mediate command will 
 be paid for promptly, by the War Department, and for the residue a special 
 law will have to be passed. 
 
 This is a subject of great importance to the inhabitants who have been driven 
 from their homes by the savages. Unless they can be furnished on the credit 
 of the Government, starvation must ensue, as many of them are unable to 
 leave this country, and they are also unable to furnish themselves. I will 
 thank you to write me on this subject as early as possible. 
 
 I am, with much respect, your obedient servant, 
 
 H. DODGE, 
 Col. Commanding the Militia of Iowa County, M. T. 
 
 MR. JOHN ATCHISON, Galena. 
 
 The same day he proceeded to his home at Fort Union. 
 Murderous bands were infesting the country. Ere he entered 
 his house he was informed of the killing of Aubrey at {he 
 Blue Mounds. Fear and terror prevailed. At midnight word 
 came that seven men had been surprised that day six miles 
 southeast of Ft. Hamilton, on the Pecatonica, while at work in 
 a corn-field, of whom five were killed, and two had escaped. 
 He despatched an express to Capt. Gentry at the Platte 
 Mounds, to march to the place and bury the dead, and find 
 out the number and movements of the enemy. The news 
 reached Ft. Defiance earlier, and Lt. Bracken with ten men 
 marched from that post the same night to Ft. Hamilton, and 
 the next day collected the remains of the dead, and buried 
 them. At a council that evening, Capt. Gentry and his men 
 having arrived, it was agreed that if Col. Dodge did not arrive 
 by 8 o'clock next morning, those present w r ould take the trail, 
 and pursue the Indians. Meanwhile, Col. Dodge had first 
 gone to the Blue Mounds to leave orders and see the situ- 
 
HENRY DODGE. 37 
 
 ation there, and had then scoured the country to within ten 
 miles of Ft. Hamilton, where he camped for the night at 
 Fretvvell's Diggings. 
 
 The next morning, June i6th, about a mile from the Fort, 
 Col. Dodge left the main road, which passed round a field, 
 and took a by-path, to shorten the distance. Coming into the 
 main road again he met a German (Henry Apple) on a good 
 horse, which Capt. Gentry had wanted to impress into the 
 service ; but Apple said that if he might go to his cabin for his 
 blankets he would join the expedition. After a few inquiries 
 Col. Dodge passed on, and Apple went along upon the main 
 road. At the time eleven Indians were lying on that road in 
 ambush, within 150 yards. Before reaching the Fort, Col. 
 Dodge heard three guns fired, and at first supposed it was 
 Capt. Gentry's men shooting at a target. In an instant 
 Apple's horse came galloping back, without rider, the saddle 
 bloody, a bullet-hole through the top of his neck and ear. 
 
 It afterward appeared that the Indians had first waylaid the 
 by-path, but at this time had moved over to the main road. 
 Had Col. Dodge kept that road, or had he arrived half an 
 hour earlier upon the by-path, he would have fallen into the 
 ambuscade, instead of Apple. 
 
 At the' Fort all was wild excitement. Many were for rush 
 ing pell-mell after the Indians. Instantly Col. Dodge with 
 stentorian voice ordered the men to "saddle up." He said: 
 "Fellow-soldiers We shall immediately follow^ the Indians, 
 and overtake them if possible. We know not their number. 
 If any of you cannot charge them sword in hand, fall back 
 now% as I want none with me but those on whom I can rely in 
 any emergency." None fell back. Twenty-nine mounted 
 men joined Col. Dodge in the pursuit. They passed the 
 scalped and mangled body of Apple, butchered in a shocking 
 manner. Says Col. Dodge in his report to Gen. Atkinson, 
 written two days afterward from Ft. Union: 
 
 The Indians had not more than thirty minutes start. They retreated through 
 a thicket of undergrowth, almost impassable for horsemen; they scattered to 
 
38 HENRY Donr.i:. 
 
 prevent our trailing them. Finding we had open prairie around the thicket, I 
 despatched part of mv men to look for the trail of the Indians in the open 
 ground. In running our horses about two miles, we saw them about half a mile 
 ahead, trotting along at their ease ; they were making for the low ground, where it 
 would be diHk-ult for us to pursue them on horseback. Two of the small 
 vtiv.un- h;ul such sleep hanks as to oblige us to dismount, and jump our hordes 
 down the banks, and force o-ur way over the best way we could. This delay 
 again gave the Indians the start, but my horses being good, and men eager in 
 the pursuit, I gained an them rapidly.. They were directing their course to a 
 bend of the Pecatonica, covered with a deep swamp, which they reached before 
 I could cross that stream, owing to the steepness of the banks, and the depth 
 of the water. After crossing the Pecatonica, in the open ground I dismounted 
 my command, linked my horses, left four men in charge of them, and sent 
 four men in different directions to watch the movements of the Indians, if 
 they should attempt to swim the Pecatonica; the men were placed on high 
 points that would give a view of the enemy, should they attempt to retreat. I 
 formed my men on foot at open order, and at trailed arms, and we proceeded 
 through the swamps to some timber and undergrowth, where I expected to 
 find the enemy. When I found their trail, I knew they were close at hand; 
 they had got close to the edge of the lake, where the bank was about six feet 
 high, which was a complete breastwork for them. They commenced the fire, 
 when three of my men fell, two dangerously wounded, one severely but not 
 dangerously. I instantly ordered a charge on them made by eighteen men, 
 which was promptly obeyed. The Indians being under the bank, our guns 
 were brought within ten or fifteen feet of them before we could fire on them. 
 Their party consisted of thirteen men. Eleven were killed on the spot, and 
 the remaining two were killed in crossing the lake, so that they were left with 
 out one to carry the news to their friends. 
 
 The volunteers under my command behaved with great gallantry. It would 
 be impossible for me to discriminate among them; at the word "charge," the 
 men rushed forward, and literally shot the Indians to pieces. We were, In 
 dians and whites, on a piece of ground not to exceed sixty feet square. 
 
 A part of the scalps were given to the Sioux and Menomonies as well as the 
 Winnebagoes. Col. Hamilton had arrived with these Indians about one hour 
 after our defeating the hostile Sacs. The friendly Indians appeared delighted 
 with the scalps. They went to the ground where the Indians were killed, and 
 cut them literally to pieces. 
 
 The Indian commander was a big, burly brave, often run 
 ning back during the charge to encourage his men, and ha 
 ranguing them in battle. In the thick of the fight he came 
 toward Col. Dodge with his gun on his shoulder, halted at a 
 few paces, drew the trigger, and was disappointed in his gun 
 not going off. The same instant Col. Dodge brought his rifle 
 in position, pulled the trigger, but from dampness of the pow- 
 
A The point at which we dismounted and left our 
 
 horses with a guard. 
 
 mr:Line of march in our advance upon the ambuscade. 
 B Our position at the time we received the fire of the 
 
 enemy, and from which we made the charge. 
 C C Indian position under a natural embankment on 
 
 the bank of the pond. 
 D D Line of march in the pursuit. 
 
 BATTLE OF HORSE SHOE BEND, JUNE 16, 1832. 
 

 
HENRY DODGE. 39 
 
 der it did not go off. Meantime the brave approached, knife 
 in hand; when only a few feet away, Col. Dodge shot him 
 down with his pistol. 
 
 The scene of the battle, Horse Shoe Bend, was about two 
 miles and a half from Fort Hamilton, on section eleven in 
 what is now Wiota township. After various discomfitures on 
 the part of different bodies of troops that had taken the field, 
 this was the first victory over the hostile Sacs. " It was con 
 sidered the most brilliant affair of the war, and was entirely 
 in keeping with the General's former character," says an offi 
 cer of the regular army, 1 who received the details of the affair 
 from an eye-witness a few days subsequently. " This little 
 action," said Governor Ford," 2 will equal any for courage, 
 brilliancy and success in the whole history of Indian wars." 
 It brought a sense of relief to the mining settlements, and 
 revived confidence along the frontier. The troops returned 
 to Fort Hamilton, conveying the wounded partly by litter, 
 partly by wagon. 
 
 The next morning a "talk" was had with the friendly In 
 dians. The following extracts from MS. letters, preserved 
 in the Library of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 
 explain the appearance of these Indians upon the scene: 
 
 J. M. STREET TO T. P. BURNETT. 
 
 PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, Feb. i, 1832. 
 
 The Menomonees and Sioux are preparing for a retaliatory war this spring. 3 
 The Sacs and Foxes, I learn, expect retaliation, and will be in preparation to 
 meet them. Therefore a bloody contest may be expected. 
 
 GEN. ATKINSON TO J. M. STREET. 
 HEADQUARTERS RIGHT WING WESTERN DEPARTMENT, ) 
 DIXON'S FERRY, ROCK RIVER, May 26, 1832. \ 
 
 I have to request that you will send to me at this place with as little delay 
 
 1 E. Buckner, in Michigan Pioneer Coll., xii, 424436. 
 
 2 His. of Illinois, p. 128. 
 
 3 A party of twenty-eight Menomonees had been stolen upon and murdered 
 by a band of Sacs and Foxes near Prairie du Chien a few months before. It was 
 for the purpose of demanding the surrender of the murderers, and in the 
 interest of peace between those tribes, that Gen. Atkinson was on his way up 
 the Mississippi from Jefferson Barracks at the very time Black Hawk crossed 
 over into Illinois. 
 
40 HENRY DODGE. 
 
 as possible as munv Menomonee and Sioux Indians as can be collected within 
 a striking distance of Prairie du Chien. I want to employ them in conjunc 
 tion with the troops against the Sac and Fox Indians, who are now some 40 or 
 50 miles above us in a state of war against the whites. I understand the- Mc- 
 nomonees to the number of 300 warriors, who were a few days ago with you, are 
 anxious to take part with us. Do encourage them to do so, and pjomise them 
 rations, blankets, pay, etc. I have written Capt. Loomis to furnish them some 
 arms, if they can be spared, and' ammunition. 
 
 Col. Hamilton, who has volunteered his services to lead the Indians to this 
 place, will hand you this letter, and, if the Menomonees and Sioux can be 
 prevailed upon to come, will perform the duty. I have to desire that Mr. 
 Marsh may be sent with Col. H. and the Indians, and an interpreter of the 
 Menomonee language. 
 
 J. M. STREET TO T. P. BURNETT. 
 
 PRAIRIE DU CHIEX, May 30, 1^32. 
 
 You will proceed with John Marsh to the nearest Sioux villages, and render 
 him such aid as may be necessary in obtaining as many of the Indians as you 
 may be enabled, to come down with you, and proceed under the command of 
 Mr. Marsh to join Gen. Atkinson. Use every means of persuasion to expedite 
 the object, and hasten your return, as much depends on expedition. 
 
 T. P. BURNETT TO J. M. STREET. 
 
 PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, June 5, 1832. 
 
 In obedience to your order I set out immediately from this place in company 
 with Mr. Marsh in a canoe, and eight hands, to visit the nearest village of the 
 Sioux Indians. 
 
 From recent indications among the Winnebagoes of the Upper Mississippi 
 of a disposition to engage in hostilities against the Sacs and Foxes, Mr. Marsh 
 and myself concluded to call at their village upon the river of Prairie a la 
 Crosse, and invite as many of them as should choose to do so, to join us upon 
 our return. We arrived at the Winnebago village on the evening of the next 
 day after our departure, and on that night had a talk with the chiefs and braves 
 upon the subject. Winoashikan was opposed to the measure, and did not want 
 to have anything to do with the business. He said that the Sacs had this 
 season twice presented the red wampum to the Winnebagoes at the Portage, 
 and that they as often washed it white, and handed it back to them, that he 
 did not like that red thing, he was afraid of it. Wandvkhatakan took up the 
 wampum, and said that he with all the young men of the village would go, 
 that they were anxious to engage in the expedition, and would be r^ady to 
 accompany us upon our return. 
 
 The next day we arrived at Prairie aux Ailes, and found the Sioux extremely 
 anxious to go against the Sacs and Foxes. They were intending to make a 
 descent against them in a few days, if they had not been sent for. Although 
 they engaged in their preparations with great alacrity, we found it necessary 
 to wait until Monday morning to give them time to have everything ready for 
 the expedition. 
 
HENRY DODGE. 41 
 
 We set out on our return at 9 A. M., accompanied by the whole effective 
 force of the band, and at Prairie a la Crosse were joined by about twenty 
 warriors of the Winnebagoes, who told us that the remainder of their village 
 would follow the next day. 'We reached this place to-day with about 100 war 
 riors. I think from the disposition manifested by the Winnebagoes their num 
 ber will be augmented to fifty or sixty, before the expedition leaves Prairie du 
 Chien, making a force of Sioux and Winnebagoes of 13001- 140 warriors. The 
 Indians appear well affected toward the whites, are in high spirits and seem 
 anxious for an opportunity to engage the Sacs and Foxes, 
 
 I made the Indians the promises authorized by Gen. Atkinson's letter for sub 
 sistence, pay, etc., and told them that their families would be supplied with pro 
 visions during their absence from home. The most of the families of the 
 warriors have accompanied them thus far, to take a supply of provisions home 
 with them, when the expedition shall have left this place. Mr. Marsh has 
 displayed great zeal and energy in effecting the object of our visit, and his 
 exertions had a happy effect in bringing out the greatest possible force from 
 the Band? called upon. 
 
 The Indian allies, however, proved to be of no service, but 
 betrayed a cowardly spirit. Some of them said that they 
 were willing to fight the Sacs, but they wanted to return first, 
 and make better preparation. They consumed an enormous 
 quantity of beef, and there was a scarcity of subsistence. It 
 was deemed best on the whole to send them back up the Mis 
 sissippi. In his report to Gen. Atkinson, quoted above, Col. 
 Dodge added: 
 
 I was extremelv anxious to retain them. They would have acted as spies, 
 and would have kept the enemy in a state of check, while we were recruiting 
 our horses for the expedition. Whether the Indians will return or not, I am 
 at a loss to say. The' Winnebagoes make solemn promises; I hope they will 
 not deceive us. We are doing everything in our power to conciliate them. 
 Decorra says that the whole of the Rock River Indians (Winnebagoes) are 
 over the Wisconsin; that they have left the Sacs entire possession of the 
 countrv; that thev (the Sacs) are now high up the Rock river, where there is 
 but little for them to live on, and they must perish for want. This I can not 
 believe. I have been told there is fish in great abundance, upon which alone 
 thev can no doubt subsist. 
 
 From his home at Ft. Union he was called to Galena, to 
 look after the supplies for destitute families, for which he had 
 to make himself personally responsible. At Galena he was 
 honored with the presentation of a flag from the ladies, with 
 the sentiment, " The Daughters of the Lead-Mines to our 
 Father War-Chief." Soon afterwards, a double-barrelled 
 
42 HENRY Donci:. 
 
 gun was forwarded to him by citizens of Prairie clu Chien, in 
 testimony of their respect for his valor, with the folio wing- 
 letter : 
 
 PRAIKIK nu CIIIKX, jd July, 1832. 
 
 7),,rr (rt'i/rfd!: I had hoped upon my return from Kentucky and the ICast 
 to have had the pleasure of seeing you before this time, but, as that has been 
 denied me, I have been much gratified to hear of the patriotic efforts which 
 you have been making for the defence of our common country. Your sacri 
 fices, zeal, energy, and success in defending our exposed frontier, almost with 
 out means, will not be forgotten bv the Government, and will live in the 
 grateful recollections of your fellow-citizens. 
 
 The people of this place have not viewed without deep interest the scene. 
 Although they have not done much to aid in the defence of their more exposed 
 countrymen, they have looked with intense anxiety to the result of every 
 movement, and numbers would have left their homes, had it been thought 
 consistent with the safety of this place, and attached themselves to your stand 
 ard. But you know the character of the mass of our population, and the little 
 that is to be expected from them in offensive operations. And even in defence, 
 they are not likely to act efficiently or in concert until a few shall be killed by 
 the enemy. Besides, they have been'in a state of almost constant alarm since 
 my return, for fear of an attack upon this place, which has forbidden all idea 
 of volunteering for the defence of any other part of the country. 
 
 I had it in contemplation, although crippled in one of my thighs, and not 
 having perfect health for eight months, to return with Capt. Estes, and offer 
 my feeble aid in effecting the punishment which those ruthless savages de 
 serve. But I was informed two days since, that the first mail from below 
 would most likely bring me an order for my removal to St. Peters. The agent 
 has left that place on furlough, and the sub-agent has resigned, leaving no one 
 to manage the business of the Department. I am therefore holding myself in 
 readiness for a change of location. I am not vain enough, however, to suppose 
 that this can be of any material consequence to you or the country, and I trust 
 that the time is not far distant when the services of none of our citizens will be 
 required in the field, and all who survive the conflict will be enabled to return 
 to their families and homes. 
 
 I am pleased to learn that there is now a sufficient force in the field to act 
 decisively against the hostile savages, and I hope that no terms will be made 
 with them until they are punished in so signal a manner as to quell forever 
 their disposition to war against our country. You and the brave men under 
 vour command have given an earnest of what you will do when YOU shall be 
 properly supported, and I doubt not when the day of meeting shall come that 
 you will give a good account of those who shall come to vour hands. 
 
 I regret that the Indians collected here and forwarded to the army have 
 proven so useless. The Siouxs, I believe, are cowards, and the feelings of the 
 Winnebagoes are as much against us as for us, probably more so; yet their in 
 terest and their fears /will keep them at least neutral. I have no apprehension 
 that they will act as a body against us, unless our army should be defeated, 
 
HENRY DODGE. 43 
 
 which must be out of the range of all probability. The Menominees would be 
 .serviceable, if there we/e enough of them. They are a brave, docile and faith 
 ful people, but the number which could be raised this side of Green Bay is too 
 small to be of much importance. 
 
 I from the first doubted the expediency of calling in the aid of the friendly 
 tribes, and so expressed myself before I left this place to collect the Indians, 
 though in obedience to orders I set out with Mr. Marsh at a minute's warning 
 to assemble and bring them to this place, and I have no hesitation in saying 
 that we performed the duty as promptly as it could have been done. I have 
 always considered Indians, to be the most troublesome and expensive of all 
 allies, at the same time that their services can be least relied upon. The result 
 of this expedition is an additional evidence to support the opinion. 
 
 I hope the next Express will bring us the intelligence of some brilliant 
 achievement decisive of the controverby. Could you gain so much time, it 
 would give me great pleasure to hear from you, but I know the incessant 
 fatigue you must undergo, and the constant employment of your time required 
 by your active exertions. Whenever you can, please write me, and believe me, 
 most truly, Your friend and obedient servant, 
 
 T. P. BURNETT. 
 
 PRAIRIE nu CHIEN, 3d July, 1832. 
 Gen. Henry Dodge, Fort Union: 
 
 The undersigned citizens of Prairie du Chien have witnessed with feelings of 
 high respect and admiration the patriotic exertions which you have made for 
 the defense of our frontier against the cruelties of savage warfare. Fully 
 appreciating the bold and energetic course you have pursued, we send bv the 
 hands of Capt. James B. Estes a double-barrelled gun, which we hope you will 
 accept as a small testimony of the high estimation in which we hold your 
 character as an officer and a citizen. 
 
 Your obedient servants, 
 
 H. L. DOUSEMAN, Jos. M. STREET, 
 
 M. BRISBOIS, T. P. BURNETT, 
 
 J. BRISBOIS, JEAN CRUNET, 
 
 M. B. W. BRISBOIS, WM. M. REED. 
 
 Upon returning from Galena, Col. Dodge made an expedi 
 tion the 24th of June to the Blue Mounds, where two men had 
 recently fallen into an ambush.. Edward B. Beouchard related 
 this incident of himself: 
 
 On the 4th of June, when Capt. James Aubrey was killed, I started to get 
 his body, and asked Lt. Force to go with me: but he refused, and I told him 
 if he got killed, and was onlv six feet off, I would not go for his body. When 
 Force ajid Green were killed on the 2oth, and I went and got Green's remains, 
 and brought them to the Fort, they asked me if I could hold spite against a 
 dead man. I replied that I would do what I said, whether a man was dead or 
 alive; and Lt. Force's body laid where it fell for four days. 
 
44 HENRY DODGE. 
 
 Col. Dodge and his troops found Lt. Force's body, which 
 had been cruelly mutilated, and buried it. They reconnoitred 
 the country to the head of Sugar river, but discovered no 
 Sacs. 
 
 On the 28th of June the whole army of Gen. Atkinson was 
 set in pursuit of Black Hawk. It consisted of 400 regular 
 infantry and about 2600 mounted volunteers; many of the 
 volunteers had been disabled by sickness and exposure. The 
 army moved up the Rock river country in three divisions: 
 Gen. Atkinson with Gen. Henry's brigade formed the right 
 wing; Gen. Alexander's command formed the center, Gen. 
 Posey's brigade, with Col. Dodge's battalion, formed the left 
 wing. They were to meet at Lake Koshkonong. 
 
 Col. Dodge rendezvoused his forces, in all about 200 men, at 
 Fort Hamilton, where he was joined by Posey's brigade. 
 Gen. Atkinson had tendered the command of this brigade to Col. 
 Dodge; but Col. Dodge declined it in an address to the brigade 
 unless elected by the officers and men. Major John Dement, 
 of the Spy battalion, ist brigade Illinois volunteers, personally 
 a stranger to Col. Dodge at the time, was earnest in advoca 
 ting his election. " He will lead us to victory," he said, "and 
 retrieve for us the honors we have lost at Stillman's Run and 
 at Kellogg's Grove." The election resulted in Posey's favor, 
 by one company. "In our march," says Hon. George W. 
 Jones, who was aid to Col. Dodge, " men and officers of 
 Posey's brigade told me that they voted against Col. Dodge, 
 and for their old neighbor and friend, because they were 
 assured Col Dodge would put them in the front, in places of 
 danger; an honor I told them Col. Dodge would not deprive 
 his command of." At this time a feeling of resentment on 
 the part of Col. Dodge towards Capt. W. S. Hamilton for 
 disobedience of orders with reference to the friendly Indians 
 was aggravated: Hon. G. W. Jones says: 
 
 The day of the election, as \ve rode past Fort Hamilton, Col. Dodge was 
 hailed by Capt. Hamilton. The Colonel, at my thrice repeated request, 
 stopped his horse (Big Black), and, as Hamilton approached, sprang oft", and 
 presented Hamilton with the butt ends of his two pistols, and entreated him to 
 
HENRY DODGE. 45 
 
 take choice, that the qestion might be settled there and then which was to be 
 commander. Hamilton at once threw up both hands, and sitting down on the 
 hill-side declined to fight. I urged the Colonel to remount, which he did, and 
 we rode on to the encampment of Gen. Posev. 1 
 
 Col. Dodge's battalion marched with the left wing of the 
 army, July 1-4, by way of the Pecatonica battle-field and Sugar 
 River Diggings near to the first of the Four Lakes, where 
 they were joined by White Crow's band; thence through 
 almost impassable swamps to the mouth of Whitewater, July 
 6th, where Black Hawk was reported to be. At this point an 
 express from Gen. Atkinson ordered them to his camp on 
 Bark River. Col. Dodge chafed under this order as thwart 
 ing his plans. After reaching Gen. Atkinson's encampment, the 
 region was reconnoitred by scouts in a fruitless search for 
 Black Hawk. Many believed that he had taken to the swamps 
 beyond the reach of the army, and that no more danger was 
 to be apprehended from him. Gen. Atkinson built block 
 houses where the village of Ft. Atkinson now stands. Gov 
 ernor Reynolds and a number of Illinois officers did not believe 
 there would be any fighting, and left the field on the pth, to 
 return home. 
 
 The army was now short of provisions from losses in 
 swimming rivers, by the miring of horses in creeks and 
 swamps, and from "waste by the volunteers. The regulars 
 took better care of their rations, and were not in want. In 
 this juncture, Gen. Atkinson ordered Alexander's and Henry's 
 brigades and Dodge's battalion, to march to Ft. Winnebago, 
 a distance of 40 miles, for supplies, with verbal instructions to 
 pursue the trail of the enemy, if it was met with in going or 
 returning. At Fort Winnebago, Col. Dodge secured the 
 co-operation of Pierre Pauquette, a half-breed, whom he had 
 
 i Hamilton was one of my father's captains both in the war of '27 and '32. 
 Although they had some unpleasant personal difficulties, ephemeral in their 
 nature, my brother, sisters and myself were on excellent terms with him. He 
 was one of the most interesting and clever of Wisconsin pioneers, and in many 
 respects a most remarkable and meritorious man. A. C Dodge to Cyrus 
 Woodman, July j, 1883. 
 
46 HENRY DOIXJK. 
 
 known as an interpreter, and a dozen Winnebagoes. Getting 
 new information as to the whereabouts of the enemy, that they 
 had moved further up Rock River, Col. Dodge called a 
 council of his officers with those of the other two commands, 
 and proposed to return by a circuit in that direction. 1 Gen. 
 Henry coincided, but Gen. Alexander advocated a return by 
 the route they had come, as pursuant to their orders. The 
 result was that Gen. Alexander returned directly with the 
 supplies and the worn-down horses, while Gen. Henry and 
 Col. Dodge diverged on their march some thirty miles to the 
 east. 
 
 Col. Dodge's effective force was now reduced to one 
 hundred and fifty men; Gen. Henry's to about four hundred 
 and fifty. At the Rapids of Rock River (now Heustisforcl) 
 they found a few emaciated Winnebagoes, who reported that 
 the Sacs had moved up to Cranberry Lake (now Horicon 
 Lake, Dodgci Co.) Encamping for the night, July iSth, they 
 set a double guard, and sent Adjutants Merriam and Wood- 
 bridge, with Little Thunder, a Winnebago chief, as guide, to 
 carry dispatches to Gen. Atkinson. But after going eight or 
 ten miles the dispatch fell upon a fresh trail of the enemy 
 bearing westward, and returned to camp with the information. 
 It was at once determined to pursue this trail in the morning, 
 and advices to that effect were sent to Gen. Atkinson. 
 
 Much of the pursuit was over swamps and morasses, and 
 through tangled thickets; in the midst of which the soldiers 
 were drenched with heavy rains. Towards evening of the 
 second day of the pursuit, July 20, the scouts discovered a large 
 body of Indians near the Third Lake, who fled into the adjacent 
 woods; a band of them were stretched along Catfish Creek, 
 
 i I was there, and my father, 1). M. Parkinson, was there, and commanded 
 a Com.xi'iy. II j was ;i compeer of Col. Dodge and Gen. Uenrv, and a warm 
 personal friend of both, and was admitted to their councils upon this and all 
 other occ i->i:>n> ; so \\:is Cap!. Gentry, to whose Company I then belonged, 
 My father informed me at the time that Col. Dodge was the suggester and 
 prime mover in this mittjr, Gen. Henry assenting to and approving of the 
 course at once. Peter Parkinson, Jr. 
 

 
A Rear guard. 
 
 B Horses with guard. 
 
 CCC Height occupied by Gen. 
 
 Dodge's command, and from 
 
 which the Indians were re 
 
 pulsed. 
 
 D D Col Jones' Regiment. 
 E E Col. Collins' Regiment 
 F F F Heights occupied by the Indians from which 
 
 they were driven in the charge. 
 
 Mound occupied by the Indian commander. 
 
 Firm sandy ground and ridges. 
 
 Indian camp. 
 
 G 
 
 HH 
 
 J 
 
 ---- Indian Trails. 
 
 BATTLE OF WISCONSIN HEIGHTS, JULY 21, 1832. 
 
HENRY DODGE. 47 
 
 in what is now the eastern part of the city of Madison; they 
 all decamped in the night. Pursuit was resumed early the 
 next morning, the troops passing over the ground now occu 
 pied by the city of Madison. After a march of about thirty 
 miles, in which the scouts kept up a running fire, the main 
 body of the enemy were overtaken upon the bluffs of the 
 Wisconsin, between 3 and 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Col. 
 Dodge and Major Wm. L. P. Ewing with their commands 
 were in % the advance. They dismounted, and at the edge of 
 the bluff were met by a rally of the enemy, attacking Capt. 
 Dixon's spy company which was then in the front. Here the 
 Indians were repulsed. Gen. Henry soon came up, and 
 deployed his forces; Col. Collins' regirftent taking position on 
 the left, Col. Jones' regiment in the center, leaving Col. Dodge 
 on the right. In this order they charged the enemy, and 
 drove him from position to position. In the midst of a heavy 
 rain the enemy were pursued into the river bottom, when 
 night closed upon the scene. 
 
 In the morning it was found that the enemy had all crossed 
 the Wisconsin River. Despatches were sent to Gen. Atkin 
 son. Capt. Estes was dispatched to Prairie du Chien with 
 the following letter to the commandant at Ft. Crawford, Capt. 
 Loomis: 
 
 CAMP WISCONSIN, July 22, 1832. 
 
 We met the enemy yesterday near the Wisconsin river, and opposite the old 
 Sac village, after a close pursuit for near one hundred miles. Our loss was 
 one man killed and eight wounded. From the scalps taken by the Winneba- 
 goes, as well as those taken by the whites, and the Indians carried from the 
 field of battle, we must have killed forty of them. The number of wounded 
 is not known; we can only judge from the number killed that many were 
 wounded. From their crippled situation I think we must overtake them, unless 
 thev descend the Wisconsin by water. If you could place a field-piece imme 
 diately on the Wisconsin that would command the river, you might prevent 
 their escape by water. 
 
 Gen. Atkinson will arrive at the Blue Mounds on the 24th with the regulars 
 and a brigade of mounted men. I will cross the Wisconsin to-morrow. Should 
 the enemy retreat by land, he will probably attempt crossing some twenty 
 miles above Prairie du Chien; in that event the mounted men would want 
 some boats for the transportation of their arms, ammunition and provisions. 
 
48 HENRY DOI><;I.. 
 
 If vou could procure for i.s some Mackinaw boats in that e\-ent, as well a- 
 some provision supplies, it would greatly facilitate our views. Kxcusr o-ivat 
 haste. Your obedient servant, 
 
 II. POIHJK, 
 Col. Commanding Michigan Mounted Volunteers. 
 
 Col. Dodge did not cross the Wisconsin on the 23d, as was 
 originally intended, but marched to the Blue Mounds, looking 
 after supplies, and awaiting the arrival of Gen. Atkinson. The 
 effective force of t^ie whole army now numbered about 1200 
 men. The Indians having been traced several miles own the 
 river, the troops rendezvoused at Helena. At this point 
 some pine log buildings were pulled down, and made into 
 small rafts, on which slowly and with difficulty the whole 
 army crossed the river on the 27th and 28th. On the next 
 day they struck the trail of the Indians, and for four days they 
 pursued them over a rough and hilly country to the Missis 
 sippi, near the Bad Axe, and came up with them on the 
 morning of August 2d. 
 
 The order of battle was arranged under the personal super 
 vision of Gen. Atkinson. Col. Dodge's squadron, whose 
 scouts had been constantly in the advance, and the U. S. In 
 fantry under Col. Zachary Taylor, were placed in the front; 
 the Illinois brigades followed, Posey and Alexander on the 
 right, Henry on the left. In this order the army marched 
 down the bluff into the thickets and timber of .the river bot 
 tom, plunged through a bayou, and in a few minutes met the 
 yells of the enemy, and closed with them. No quarters were 
 asked; none were taken prisoners but squaws and children. 
 The troops of the different commands vied with each other in 
 gaining positions of bravery and danger. The action con 
 tinued for three hours, the Indians being driven from tree to 
 tree and from one hiding-place to another, until they were 
 utterly routed and dispersed, with a loss on their part of 150 
 killed. At the last it was more a massacre than a battle. 
 Many were shot down in the river; others fell into the hands 
 of their hereditary enemies, the Sioux. 
 
 Gen. Atkinson reported a loss among his troops of twenty- 
 
HENRY DODGE. 49 
 
 four killed and wounded, of whom six were in Dodge's bat 
 talion, a larger relative proportion than under any other 
 command. In the progress of the fight positions were changed. 
 Col! Taylor with the U. S. Infantry and Col. Dodge with his 
 squadron in following the rear guard of the enemy were 
 thrown upon the extreme right, while Gen. Henry gained the 
 front with his brigade. "Both brave officers," says Wakefield, 
 an Illinois historian, who was in the engagement, " they would 
 have gloried in being in the front, but this was intended by 
 the God of battles for our beloved Henry." The following 
 order was issued the day after the battle : 
 
 HEADQUARTERS IST ARMY CORPS OF THE NORTHWESTERN ARMY, ) 
 BANK OF THE MISSISSIPPI, NEAR BAD AXE RIVER, August 3, 1832. ) 
 
 Order No. 65. 
 
 The victory achieved by the volunteers and regular troops over the enemy 
 yesterday on this ground affords the Commanding General an opportunity of 
 expressing his approbation of their brave conduct. The whole of the troops 
 participated in the honor of the combat; some of the corps, however, were 
 more fortunate than others iri being thrown from their position in order of 
 battle more immediatelv in conflict with the erremy; these were Henry's 
 Brigade, Dodge's Battalion, the Regular Troops, Leech's Regiment of Posey's 
 Brigade, and the Spy Battalion of Alexander's Brigade, 
 
 In order that individual merit and the conduct of the Corps may be properlv 
 represented to the Department of War and the General commanding the 
 Northwestern Army, the Commanding General of this division directs that 
 commanding officers of brigades and independent corps make to him written 
 reports of the conduct and op2ration of their respective Commands in the 
 action. 
 
 By order of BRIG. GENERAL ATKINSON. 
 
 ALB. S. JOHNSTON, A. D. C. and A. Adt. Gen'l. 
 
 In his jealousy for the fame of Gen. Henry, Governor 
 Thomas Ford, in his History of Illinois, ch. V, disparaged 
 both Gen. Atkinson and Col. Dodge. The truth is, that they 
 all were brave men, intent upon their duty, while as intimated 
 in the above order, the fortune of war, and their own earnest 
 spirit as well, gave Dodge and Henry foremost positions which 
 they sustained with honor. There was a perfect understand 
 ing and a harmony of action between those officers from the 
 beginning. Henry was the younger. His father had fought 
 
50 HENRY DODGE. 
 
 under Dodge in the war of 1812. Appreciating his experience 
 and prowess as an old soldier and an Indian-fighter, Henry 
 confided in Dodge's skill and judgment, and deferred to him 
 in council and in the field. He was immediately appointed a 
 Captain in the U. S. Rangers under Dodge, with the rank of 
 first Captain in that battalion, but his health failing he left the 
 service, and went to New Orleans for a milder climate, and 
 died in that city, March 4th, 1834. Henry County, Iowa, was. 
 named for him. 
 
 After the battle, when Gen. Atkinson met Col. Dodge at 
 Prairie du Chien, he threw his arms around him, and said to 
 him, "Dodge, you have saved me; you have dragged me on 
 to victory." President Jackson had been impatient with the 
 slowness of military movements, and had sent word to Gen. 
 Atkinson that he must bring the war to an end or he would 
 remove him. 
 
 Early in the battle of Bad Axe, Black Hawk and the 
 Prophet fled, and attempted flight to Canada. After the 
 battle, Col. Dodge called Waukon-Decorra to him, and told 
 him that their Great Father at Washington wanted the big 
 warriors taken. Parties were sent in search of them, and 
 they were captured and delivered up to the Indian agent at 
 Prairie du Chien on the 27th of August. Black Hawk said 
 that he would have whipt the whites, and gone where he 
 pleased in the mining country, had it not been for "Hairy 
 Face" (Col. Dodge). 
 
 In the course of a discussion in the U. S. Senate the follow 
 ing winter upon the public lands, the Hon. Alexander Buck- 
 ner, of Missouri, associated the name of Henry Dodge with 
 that of George Rogers Clark among "the gallant sons of the 
 west." He said, January I2th, 1883: 
 
 Look at the movements of the troops last summer. What common claim 
 has any but the West to the fame of the heroic Dodge, of whom it may be 
 *aid that he was born, trained, and seasoned in all the hardships, all the priva 
 tions and dangers of the West, and is justly entitled to a share in all her 
 glories. 
 
HENRY DODGE.. 51 
 
 The Hon. Samuel McRoberts, Senator from Illinois, gave a 
 similar testimony in the Senate on the 25th of June, 1841. 
 
 That war (of 1832) came from a race of men who do not precede hostilities 
 by wordy negotiations, make no formal declarations of the purpose, give no 
 other notice than the war-whoop and the sound of the rifle, who seldom give 
 -quarter, and who count their victories by the number of scalps they have 
 taken. The gallant men of the Territory came to the rescue. Gen. Dodge 
 organized a small but intrepid corps, who took the field, and, as far as possible, 
 staid the plague, until the volunteers from Illinois and a few companies of the 
 army could be brought to their relief. During this period the enemy wavlaid 
 .all the roads, and murdered many of the inhabitants. One incident will illus 
 trate the character of Gen. Dodge and his followers. The enemy came to the 
 Pecatonica, and murdered some of the citizens. Dodge and his party pursued 
 them. The enemy, finding they could not make their escape, posted them- 
 selves for battle. Now here was a situation to test the courage and devotion 
 of any man to his country. The enemy were armed with the rifle, tomahawk, 
 and spear, which they had been accustomed to use all their lives. They had a 
 decided advantage in position, and were enabled to have their usual advantage, 
 the first fire. To dislodge them a charge must be made in the most exposed of 
 all possible situations, and, from the number and desperation of the enemy,' at 
 a great sacrifice of human life. In such a situation what is the course of 
 Dodge and his brave associates? They nev^r hesitate. They resolve to dis 
 lodge the enemy, or perish in the attempt. They dismount from their horses, 
 and, headed by their commander, charged the enemy on foot. They received 
 the enemy's fire almost at the muzzle of their guns. A desperate conflict 
 ensued. After each party had delivered its fire, it became a personal encoun 
 ter between the combatants. The storv is soon told. The enemy all fell. Not 
 a man of them was left to tell the tale. I met Dodge and the survivors of his 
 party a few days afterward, and some of them still carried upon their persons 
 the evidence of the conflict. A leading Whig journal of Illinois (the Quincy 
 
 Whig-') says: "As one of the brave defenders of Wisconsin in times that tried 
 the courage of die best men, Dodge stands deservedly among the foremost. 
 
 His name, his fame, his public acts, are interwoven with the Territory." 
 
 The Hon. Wm. Medill, member of Congress from Ohio, 
 and afterwards Governor of that State, referring to those 
 times in a speech in the House of Representatives, April 25th, 
 1842, said: 
 
 When the Western frontiers were invaded by the savage hordes of the wil 
 derness, and the progress of civilization retarded for a time by the tomahawk 
 and scalping-knife, who was it that exposed his life and endured extraordinary 
 hardships in defending the home and the fireside of the emigrant? Who was 
 it that met in mortal combat, and arrested the career of the murderous but 
 brave and intrepid Black Hawk? Who commanded the volunteers at the 
 memorable battle of Wisconsin Heights, where sustained on either side by one 
 
52 HENRY DODGK. 
 
 of his own vouthful hut gallant sons he occupied the post of clanger, and \ar, 
 quisled a superior force with the loss of a single man? Who led on the 
 charge at Bad A\.\ ,i;i.l -li.-d such lustiv upon the valor of his countrymen at 
 1'ecatonica. where not a single man of the enemy survived to relate the inci- 
 dents of the conflict? The name of General Dodge is identified with the 
 historv and glory of the West, and will ever be held in grateful remembrance 
 hv a people whom his chivalry and valor have defended from crueltv and 
 death. 
 
 The Hon. John Reynolds, Governor of Illinois in 1832, who 
 was with the troops of that State in the Black Hawk War r 
 and afterwards member of Congress from that State, related 
 in the House of Representatives, on the pth day of July., 
 1842, the same incidents mentioned by Senator McRoberts; 
 he says of Henry Dodge: 
 
 His character and standing is -well-known in the West and throughout the 
 country. I have been intimately acquainted with his career for more than 
 forty years. He was born in the West, and has by the force of native intellect 
 and energy of character sustained himseli through various difficulties and 
 trials incident to the settlement of a new country. lie has by merit raised 
 himself to a pinnacle of fame, which not frequently falls to the lot of anv man 
 to attain. He sustained well in the Black Hawk War the high standing he 
 had previously acquired as a military man. 
 
 NOTE. We are indebted to the Hon. George W. Jones, 
 under date of Nov. 25th, 1889, for the following additional 
 particulars of events referred to in this article : 
 
 Mr. St. Vrain was murdered by a war party some thirty miles east of Galena, 
 when on his way, under Gen. Atkinson's orders, to Rock Island from Dixon, 
 via Galenti, with six other men, one of whom, my worth v and honored friend, 
 Frederick Stahl, is now living at Galena. 
 
 Mv friend, Hon. Thomas McKnight, then the U. S. Agent of the Lead 
 Mines at Galena, afterwards Receiver of Public Monies at Dubnque, sent a 
 message to me at mv then residence and fort at Sinsinawa Mound, that mv 
 brother-in-law had either been killed or taken prisoner by the Indians. I im 
 mediately mounted my horse, in my buckskin hunting shirt, Kentucky jeans 
 pantaloons, and put out for the rescue of mv brother-in-law and his compan 
 ions, having my double-barrelled gun, well. loaded with buck-shot, a holster of 
 pistols, and two in mv belt, with a bowie-knife. 
 
 I reached Galena several hours after the Cavalry Company of Capt. Steph- 
 enson had left for the scene of murder or captivity. Contrary to the entreaty 
 of my friends, Capt. James May", in particular, Mr. McKnight, Major Charles 
 S. llempstead, and others, I followed on alone, and overtook the troop of 
 horse some 25 or 30 miles east of Galena, where I also found Col. Dodge with his 
 
HENRY DODGE. 53 
 
 mining regiment. In the course of the day the mutilated body of Mr. St. 
 Vrain was found by myself; Col. Dodge and I were the only persons there 
 who had known him. His head, feet, and hands had been cut off, and with his 
 heart and the most of the flesh of his body had been taken off by the Indians 
 as trophies of war, and as food, he being a pretty fat man. We were directed 
 to his corpse by the turkey buzzards which we saw flying and circling around 
 at a considerable distance. I knew him from the color of his black hair, some 
 of which was strewn around as the Indians scalped him, his blue dress coat r 
 swallow-tailed, through the large collar of which, then the style, the bullet 
 which had broken his neck had passed. His pocket-book and papers and the 
 silver and gold money were untouched in his pockets. His head, heart, feet 
 and hands were taken to the headquarters of the Indians, then near LakeKosh- 
 konong, and used in their war dances; one brave having his head swung 
 between his knees, two others a hand each, and two the feet, to brandish. The 
 heart was cut into small pieces, and given to the young boys to swallow, he to 
 be declared the bravest who could gulp down the largest piece. 
 
 Mr. St. Vrain rode a splendid horse, and could easily have made a good 
 escape, but he tried hard to hold his horse in and turn him around, but the 
 veiling and warwhoops and screaming of the pursuing Indians on horseback, 
 some fortv of them, so frightened his horse and the horses of his companions 
 as to make them unmanageable. The most of these particulars I got from 
 Madame Mayotte, 1 a French interpretess, whom I saw when Col. Dodge res 
 cued the Hall young ladies. 
 
 A few days after that meeting with Col. Dodge and his command, he sent 
 his valiant son, Henry L., and his adjutant, W. W. Woodbridge, to my resi 
 dence and fort at Sinsinawa Mound, to request me to become his aid-de-camp, 
 he having been ordered by the Commander-in-Chief, G.en. Atkinson, to take 
 command of Gen. Posey's brigade of Illinois Volunteers, then encamped near 
 Hamilton's fort. Capt. H. L. Dodge and Adjutant Woodbridge reached my 
 house in the night, after a hard day's ride from Dodgeville. The next morn 
 ing at daylight I gladly went off with them, accoutred as before, to accept 
 the highest and most responsible office I had ever expected to fill, and under 
 him whom I had loved from my childhood. Col. Dodge was waiting for me 
 to accompany him to take command of some 1,500 volunteers from Southern 
 Illinois. He was in his buckskin, sassafras tanned, hunting shirt, and Ken 
 tucky jeans pants, just like my own. As soon as I entered his log cabin resi 
 dence, having but one window, and no plank but a dirt floor, he welcomed me 
 heartily, and said: " I have sent for you to become my aid-de-camp, because 
 I have unbounded confidence in your friendship, bravery and honor, as I had 
 in your learned and brave father, your brothers, and your brothers-in-law, Hon. 
 John and Judge Andrew Scott, all of whom served under me in the war with 
 Great Britain and their Indian allies, in and on the frontiers of Missouri Terri 
 tory, in the war of 1812. Your venturing alone through the wilderness in 
 search of Mr. St. Vrain and party, was a hazardous undertaking; but it grati 
 fied me." 
 
 i A half breed, very popular with her tribe, the Winnebagoes. Mrs. Adele 
 P. Gratiot's Narrative, in Wis. Coll., x. 267, 269. 
 
54 HKNUV DOIX;I:. 
 
 On our arrival at the encampment. Col. Dodge refused to assume command 
 unless the volunteers would elect him as their commander, over their own 
 General; although Col. Davenport, of the U. S. Army, was present, under 
 orders from Gen. Atkinson to make the transfer or substitution in the com 
 mand. All of the volunteers were entire strangers to Col. Dodge. At his 
 request they were drawn up into a hollow square, when he addressed them, 
 and was followed by Gen. Posey, who appealed to his old neighbors not to 
 desert and disgrace him. His entreaties had the desired effect. 
 
 As Col Dodge and I rode up to Posey 's encampment, he pointed out to me 
 the clump of hazle and other bushes in which those thirteen Indians were con 
 cealed, waiting for him, as he rode alone on his way to Fort Hamilton, a short 
 time before. That clump was in the angle of a right angle triangle, the hvpoth- 
 enuse of which he took to save time, instead of keeping on the big wagon 
 road. 
 
 I attended the treaty made by General Win field Scott on the Mississippi 
 river directly opposite Rock Island, and procured through my influence with 
 George Davenport, Antoine LeClaire, and the then made chief of the Sac 
 and Fox Nation, Keokuk, two thousand acres of land as an indemnitv to the 
 widow and children of Mr. Felix St. Vrain. 
 
 III. 
 
 MAJOR U. S. MOUNTED RANGERS, 1832-3. 
 
 While the Black Hawk war was raging, Congress author 
 ized the creation of a battalion of Mounted Rangers, by Act of 
 June 1 5th, 1832, for the better protection of the frontiers. In 
 supporting the measure in the House of Representatives, Hon. 
 Duncan, afterwards Governor of Illinois, said that about Joseph 
 the first proposition he ever submitted for the consideration of 
 Congress was one for raising eight companies of mounted 
 gunmen for this service in 1828; he believed that all the 
 distress and bloodshed that had just been heard of in Illinois 
 would have been avoided if Congress had adopted that plan; 
 no number of U. S. soldiers on foot could restore confidence 
 to the citizens residing in that country; families who .have 
 witnessed the shocking scenes which had just been acted on 
 the frontier would never return to their homes until an efficient 
 force was raised for their protection; he believed we should 
 hear of no more Indian wars after this force was organized 
 and placed in service. The President appointed Henry Dodge 
 
HENRY DODGE. 55 
 
 Major of the battalion. His commission was brought to him 
 by express at the mouth of the Whitewater river, when at the 
 head of his command in line of battle. 
 
 As soon as the Black Hawk war was over, a Rangers' 
 camp was established on the Mississippi near the mouth of 
 Rock river. The cholera, which had been brought from the 
 seaboard with the troops under General Scott, 1 broke out in 
 the camp, and raged for three weeks. Thirteen of the 
 Rangers died, and were buried in the woods without coffins. 
 Upon this outbreak of the epidemic General Scott issued the 
 following order: 
 
 ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, / 
 FORT ARMSTRONG, August 28th. 1832. 
 Order No. id. 
 
 1. The cholera has made its appearance on Rock Island. The two first 
 cases were brought by mistake from Capt. Ford's company of U. S. Rangers; 
 one of these died yesterday, the other is convalescent. A second death 
 occurred this morning in the hospital in Fort Armstrong. The man was of 
 the 4th Infantrv, and had been some time there under treatment for debility. 
 The Ranger now convalescent was in the same hospital with him for sixteen 
 hours before a cholera hospital could be established outside the camp and Fort. 
 
 2. It is believed that all these men were of intemperate habits. The 
 Ranger, who is dead, it is known, generated the disease within him by a fit of 
 intoxication. 
 
 3. This disease having appeared among the Rangers, and on this Island, all 
 in commission are called upon to exert themselves to the utmost to stop the 
 spread of the calamity. 
 
 4. Sobriety, cleanliness of person, cleanliness of camp and quarters, together 
 with care in the preparation of the men's messes, are the grand preventives. 
 No neglect under these important heads will be overlooked or tolerated. 
 
 5. In addition to the foregoing, the Senior Surgeon present recommends 
 the use of flannel shirts, flannel drawers and woolen stockings; but the 
 Commanding General, who has seen much of disease, knows that it is 
 intemperance which in the present state of the atmosphere generates and 
 spreads the calamity, and that, when once spread, good and temperate men 
 are likely to take the infection. 
 
 6. He therefore peremptorily commands that every soldier or Ranger, who 
 shall be found drunk or sensibly intoxicated after the publication of this order, 
 be compelled, as soon as his strength will permit, to dig a grave at a suitable 
 
 i Of about fifteen hundred officers and men of the regular troops ordered 
 to the northwestern frontier, not less than two hundred died by the cholera. 
 Report of the Secretary of War, Nov. 25, 1832. 
 
56 HENRY DODGE. 
 
 burving place large enough for his own reception, as such grave cannot fail 
 soon to be wanted for the drunken man himself or some drunken companion. 
 
 7. This Order is given, as well to serve for the punishment of drunkenness 
 as to spare good and temperate men the labor of digging graves for their 
 worthless companions. 
 
 S. The sanitary regulations now in force respecting communications 
 between the camp near the mouth of Rock river and other camps and posts 
 in the neighborhood are revoked. [They had provided for sending all the 
 sick to the hospital on Rock Island]. Col. Eustis, however, whose troops are 
 perfectly free from cholera, will report to the Commanding General whether 
 he believes it for the safety of his command that these regulations should be 
 renewed. By order of MAJOR GENERAL SCOTT, 
 
 P. H. GALT, Ass't Adjutant General. 
 
 At this time there were three Sacs confined in the military 
 prison at Fort Armstrong on a charge of having been parties 
 to a murderous attack upon a Menominee camp near Prairie 
 du Chien, on the 3ist of July, 1831. On account of the 
 cholera Gen. Scott set them at liberty, taking their promise to 
 return upon the exhibition of a certain signal to be hung from 
 the limb of a dead tree at an elevated point of the island when 
 the epidemic should be over. They kept their word, and 
 reported themselves upon the exhibition of the signal. They 
 were again placed on parole, and subsequently released. 1 
 
 ASST. ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE, NORTHWESTERN ARMY, j 
 Special Order: ROCK ISLAND, September 6th, 8 2. \ 
 
 The General commanding directs the use of the following paroles and 
 countersigns for the ensuing eight days: 
 
 farole. Countersign. 
 
 1832, Sept. 7. Csesar. Gaul. 
 
 S. Hannibal. Capua. 
 
 9. Napoleon. Corsica. 
 
 10. Desaix. Marengo. 
 
 11. Saladin. Palestine. 
 
 12. Hamlet. Denmark. 
 
 13. Atkinson. Bad Axe. 
 
 14. Dodge. Quisconsin. 
 By order of MAJOR GENERAL SCOTT, 
 
 R. BACHE, S Ass't Adjutant General. 
 To MAJOR HENRY DODGE, 
 Commanding Battalion U. S. Rangers, 
 Camp .on Rock River. 
 
 1 Autobiography of Lt. General Scott, Chap, xviii. 
 
 2 Richard Bache was a descendant of Benjamin Franklin. 
 
HENRY DODGE. 57 
 
 Major Dodge was present at the treaty made by General 
 Scott and Governor Reynolds with the Winnebagoes, on Rock 
 Island, on the i5th of September and at the request of those 
 Indians acted as their friend and adviser in the Council. Writ 
 ing a number of years afterward, Gen. Scott spoke of that 
 occasion and of the course of Henry Dodge in the Black 
 Hawk war, in the following manner: 
 
 In the Black Hawk war Gen. Dodge displayed, as was generally acknowl 
 edged, the greatest vigor in pursuit, and prowess in conflict with the Indians. 
 After Gen. Atkinson's battle of the Bad Axe, the Western Army came under 
 mv immediate command, and I know that Gen. Dodge was held ill the highest 
 dread bv both the enemy and their secret abettors, the Winnebagoes. Yet, at 
 the treaty held with the latter, Gen. Dodge was chosen as their councillor, and 
 it gave me great delight to witness the zeal and humanity he displayed in 
 protecting their interests, a trait, in my humble judgment, as honorable to him 
 as his victorious blade. I was upon the whole deeply impressed with his 
 merits and have not since doubted that according to their merits, or demerits, 
 he will ever be found the protector or punisher of the Indians about him. 1 
 
 He was also present at the "treaty of peace, friendship, and 
 cession," made on the 2ist of September with' the Sacs and 
 Foxes, upon the site of the present city of Davenport. His 
 signature was appended as a witness to both treaties. These 
 treaties were of great historical significance to the future State 
 of Iowa. That with the Winnebagoes granted to them what 
 was then known as the "Neutral Ground," in what is now 
 Northern Iowa, in lieu of lands they had long occupied on the 
 east side of the Mississippi, south and east of the Wisconsin 
 river and of Fox river of Green Bay. By the treaty with the 
 Sacs and Foxes, those confederated tribes ceded to the U. S. 
 "a tract of the Sac and Fox country bordering on the invaded 
 frontier, more than proportional to the numbers of the hostile 
 band that had been conquered and subdued," viz., a strip of 
 land on the east side of the Mississippi, 'about two hundred 
 miles ,in length, extending from the boundary line of the State 
 of Missouri on the south to the "Neutral Ground" on the 
 north, and ranging from fifty to seventy-five miles in breadth, 
 containing about six million acres of land; and they agreed to 
 
 i Letter of Winfield Scott to A. C. Dodge, Feb. 9th, 1841. 
 
58 HKNRY I)OD*;K. 
 
 remove from the ceded country on or before the first day of 
 June, 1833, with the express understanding that they were 
 not to reside, plant, fish, or hunt on any portion of it after that 
 date. Thus that date became memorable in Iowa history 
 as the day in which a portion of her territory first became 
 open to occupation and settlement by the American people. 
 
 The battalion of mounted Rangers consisted of six com 
 panies, three of which (Captains James D, Henry, Benjamin 
 V. Beekes, and Jesse B. Browne 1 ) were assigned by Major 
 General SQOU to the Northwestern frontier, to range between 
 the Wabash river, Chicago, Ft. Winnebago, and the mouth of 
 the Wisconsin river, under the immediate instructions of Major 
 Dodge. The other companies (Captains Lemuel Ford, Jesse 
 Bean, and Nathan Boone 1 ) were ordered to Fort Gibson, on 
 the Arkansas river, for the protection of the Southwestern 
 frontier. The circumstances and discipline of the service are 
 explained in the following orders of Major Dodge: 
 
 RANGERS CAMP NEAR ROCK ISLAND, 
 September j^d, 1832. \ 
 Order No. 9. 
 
 Capt. Browne will march his company from his present encampment to the 
 vicinity of Danville, Illinois. He is permitted to make a proper selection of a 
 position for erecting suitable buildings for the use of his officers and men for 
 the next winter. In the choice of this position he will select the most suitable 
 place for fuel, as well as forage for the horses; it being an object of the first 
 importance that the corn and forage should be as cheap as possible. 
 
 The greatest respect is to be paid to the private rights of citizens. The 
 Rangers were intended for the defence and protection of the inhabitants of the 
 frontiers, and it is strictly enjoined on each officer and Ranger not to trespass 
 on the private rights of any citizen without paving a just equivalent for what 
 mav be received. 
 
 Gambling and drinking to intoxication is prohibited. The Captain com 
 manding will order court martials for the trial of those found intoxicated, and 
 punish them without delay; as well as prevent gambling in his camp. 
 
 Capt. Browne will report to me monthlv, to be directed to Mineral Point, 
 
 i Capt. Browne was a member from Lee Countv of the Council of the first 
 four Legislative Assemblies of Iowa Territory, of the II. of R. of the 8th 
 Legislative Assembly, and of the H. of R. and Speaker of the House, of the 
 First General Assembly of the State. Capt. Boone was a son of Daniel 
 Boone, the Kentucky pioneer. A sketch of their lives is in the Annals of 
 Iowa, July, 1872, pp 196, 226. 
 
HENRY DOD<;I;. 59 
 
 Michigan Territory, the strength and condition of his company, as to anus, 
 ammunition, provisions, as well as the state and condition of his horses. 
 
 The Commanding Officer of the Rangers expects that each officer and 
 Ranger will be prompt and diligent in the discharge of his duty. The govern 
 ment intends this corps as the vanguard for the frontier. This high expecta 
 tion must not be disappointed. 
 
 VAXDALIA, ILL., October i3th, 1832. 
 Capt. Jesse Bro^vne, 
 
 Commanding a Company of U. S. Rangers: 
 
 I have this day received a letter from His Excellency, Governor Reynolds, 
 stating that the Pottawattamie Indians had assumed an imposing and threaten 
 ing attitude on the northern frontier of Illinois. From the pressing manner the 
 Governor writes me on this subject, you will without delay march your com 
 pany from the vicinity of Danville to the northern frontier of this State. You 
 will range the country from Ottawa at the mouth of Fox river on the Illinois 
 river, so as to completely cover the settlements on Beaver creek in the coun 
 ties of Putnam and La Salle. You will order the Pottawattamies out of the 
 settlements, and drive them out of the range of the settlements, if they refuse 
 to go. You will select such a position on Bureau as will enable you to procure 
 corn and forage for your horses. Your assistant commissary will make the 
 necessary purchases for the supply of the companv, unless the company 
 should find it more convenient to furnish themselves. You are not to 
 make an attack on the Pottawattamies unless they should make an attack on 
 the frontiers. Should they, however, shed a drop of white blood, you will not 
 hesitate to kill the offenders, their aiders and abettors. Should the Indians 
 leave that frontier, and the minds of the inhabitants be quieted, you will return 
 to your winter quarters near Danville. You will exercise your own judgment 
 as to the proper time to leave the frontier, which wall be governed wholly by 
 the attitude assumed bv the Indians. 
 
 Early in 1833 Henry Dodge visited Washington. Regarded 
 as the hero of the Black Hawk war, he was received with 
 marked attention and honor. President Andrew Jackson 
 greeted him with assurances of high appreciation and esteem. 
 Senator Buckner, of Missouri, complimented him in the Senate 
 chamber, as already quoted. Those were the squally days of 
 nullification in South Carolina. Gen. Scott had been ordered 
 to Charleston, also ships of war, and the President had signi 
 fied his determination, if matters grew worse, to appoint 
 Henry Dodge Marshal of South Carolina, to insure the execu 
 tion of the laws of the United States in that State. The fol 
 lowing letter to Henry Dodge, from his half-brother, Lewis 
 F. Linn, M. D., who, upon the death of Mr. Buckner by 
 
60 HENRY DODGE. 
 
 cholera the next summer, succeeded him as Senator from 
 Missouri, relates to this period: 
 
 SAINTK GKNKYIKVK, February 151)1, 1833. 
 
 l)r..\K BROTHKR: I had written vou a few days before the reception of 
 your letter announcing your arrival at Washington. It is needless for me to 
 sav ho\v much I was gratified at the friendly and distinguished manner of vour 
 reception by our venerable and truly great President, so every way qualified to 
 judge of the relative merit of men. How contemptible his revilers must feel 
 on seeing him every moment growing in greatness and increasing in the con 
 fidence and affection of the American people! Time, you know, is an indolent 
 old fellow not fond of burthens, and, as he drives along the stream into the 
 ocean of eternity, freighted with the reputation of men, is ever and anon 
 engaged in selecting from his overloaded bark such as do not deserve immor 
 tality, and casting them into oblivion*. Among the retained will ever be found 
 the name of Andrew Jackson. 
 
 Your chivalrous conduct during the late Indian war has truly placed vou on 
 elevated ground, from whence you will be enabled to catch a glimpse of com 
 ing events, and turn them to your advantage and to that of our common 
 country. It would be a sincere source of regret to find in our domestic- 
 troubles you might be compelled to shed American blood, but if stern necessity 
 requires it I know your valor will be tempered with humanity. In a govern 
 ment like ours, made by the people and for the people, where the public will is 
 the supreme arbiter, where the great mass of the people seldom err in judg 
 ment, every friend to his country, nay, every friend to liberty throughout the 
 world, may still entertain "a reasonable hope that 'the difficulty with South 
 Carolina will yet be arranged without a resort to force: but should it be other 
 wise I entertain no fear for the result, and none that you will conduct your 
 self, if engaged, in such a wav as to benefit your country, and add to vour well- 
 earned reputation. 
 
 In accordance with your wish I will write Col. Buckner, happy if anv little 
 influence I may possess could be of service to you; but I doubt much if he has 
 weight at Washington. You know the President, and, knowing him, you can 
 judge whether his wavering course heretofore is likely to gain him the esteem 
 of General Jackson, whose judgment is so unerring as regards men ; in fact. 
 his election was the result of a singular combination of circumstances, most of 
 which Col. Benton is acquainted with. I might have been in his place, if I 
 had not disdained to be elected by my political opponents; even if I was con 
 sidered of sufficient importance to be bid for. I had to choose between him 
 and Wells, and I preferred Buckner, knowing that the southern part of the 
 State had in some measure been overlooked heretofore. I must sav he has 
 shown every disposition to befriend me since. His subsequent opposition to 
 Col. Benton is, I presume, part of the price he had to pay the Clay men for 
 their support. In this I was completely deceived, or he would not have 
 received my vote. 
 
 I am aware of the many virtues of Gen. Ashley, of his sterling good sense, 
 and of his sincere unfeigned friendship for you; but, my dear brother, Col. 
 
HENRY DODGE. 61 
 
 Benton is the only man Missouri ever had in Congress whose splendid talents, 
 unwavering purpose of soul, and expanded views entitled him to the character 
 of a great man. It would not surprise me to see him President. At present I 
 view Richard M. Johnson as the only man that stands between him and Yice- 
 President. In support of him last summer, patriotism and personal regard 
 were combined to induce me to contribute my mite toward his success. He 
 ever to me manifested a sincere friendship for you, and for myself I owe him 
 many acts of kindness. 
 
 My constitution is much worn out by sickness and a harrassing profession; 
 my head is tolerably well sprinkled with grav hairs, great muscular debilitv 
 from palpitation of the heart, though I weigh what my father did when he 
 died, 180 pounds. I endeavor to fulfil mv duty to my profession, country, 
 friends, and family, and will try to live without fear and die without reproach. 
 After mv time as Commissioner expires, I would be pleased to get some ap 
 pointment for which I might be qualified, that would relieve me from this 
 unfortunate profession of mine to be looking always on man as an object of 
 affliction and sorrow, to be compelled to examine him by piecemeal, every 
 tendon, muscle, bone, nerve, and organ, but worst of all to be compelled to 
 analvze his passions, trace them to their source, and view them in their naked 
 deformity; my soul yearns after getting rid of this. 
 
 I have at present three fine children; my wife's health very bad; our old 
 friend Scott is much under the weather; he appears to delight in your bright 
 ening prospects; sister is as usual, happy and cheerful; nothing can crush her 
 fortitude; our town and section of country looking up. That your visit to 
 Washington may be one of pleasure and profit is the sincere wish of your 
 brother. L. F. Lixx. 1 
 
 GEX. II. DODGE. 
 
 In his annual report, November 25th, 1832, the Secretary 
 of War, Mr. Cass, recommended the conversion of the corps 
 of rangers into a regiment of dragoons. Consequent upon this 
 recommendation, an act for the more perfect defence of the 
 frontiers was passed by Congress, approved March 2d, 1833. 
 It provided for a regiment of ten companies, of one hundred 
 men each. The President appointed Henry Dodge Colonel 
 of the regiment. Thus honored with the confidence of the 
 Government, Col. Dodge returned to his command. He 
 
 r Dr. Linn was at this time one of three Commissioners to settle Spanish 
 land claims in Missouri. His sister, Mrs. Mary Ann McArthur, 1 removed to 
 Michigan Territory in 183^, and kept hotel at Belmont during the first session 
 of the First Legislative Assembly of Wisconsin Territory, 1836. Gen. Ashley 
 was member of House of Representatives from Missouri. John Scott was 
 delegate to Congress from. Missouri Territory, 1817-1821. 
 
62 HKNKY DOIK.K. 
 
 issued the following order to one of his Captains, who had 
 been appointed in the place of Capt. Henry: 
 
 ST. Loi;is, March 31*1, 1833. 
 
 C<tpt. Mat the- 
 
 Commanding Coin-fan v of ['. $. Hangers: 
 
 You will on hearing of the departure of the caravans for Santa Fe hold 
 your company in readiness, and march them to join the caravans at the nearest 
 point from your present encampment. Your command will act as an escort 
 until you arrive at the Arkansas river, or the boundary line between the 
 United States and Mexico. You will afford the caravans on their march all 
 the aid and assistance in your power, and defend them against the attack of 
 the hostile Indians. You will preserve the utmost harmony between the 
 Rangers and the Santa Fe traders. On your march you will guard against the 
 possibility of surprise. On your arrival at the southwestern boundary line of 
 the United States, you will have an express understanding with the traders as 
 to the time the)' will return, and you will meet them with your company on 
 their return at the boundary line, and act as an escort until they pass the line 
 of the State of Missouri. II. DODGE, 
 
 Col. U. S. Dragoons, Commanding U. S. Rangers. 
 
 Upon the Illinois frontier he found the people in a state of 
 alarm from a wide-spread apprehension that the Winnebagoes 
 and Pottawattamies were forming a combination to attack the 
 settlements. He at once made a disposition of troops to quiet 
 the public mind and protect the frontier. A low stage 'of 
 water in the river preventing steamboats from passing the 
 rapids of the Upper Mississippi, he travelled on horseback 
 from St. Louis by way of Vandalia, Fort Clark and Dixon's 
 Ferry to Dodgeville, a distance of 400 miles. The following 
 letters explain the condition of the frontier at this period: 
 
 YAXDALIA, April 3d, 1833. 
 To Captains B cokes and Broivne: 
 
 The threatening attitude of the Winnebagoes and the exposed situation of 
 our Northwestern frontier makes it important for the safety of the citizens of 
 that frontier, as well as to enforce a strict observance of the treaty made with 
 the Winnebagoes, that you should march from vour present position to Ilen- 
 nepin on the Illinois river, to arrive at that place by the 2oth of April, if pos 
 sible. Supplies for the Rangers will be sent up the Illinois river to that place 
 by Gen. Atkinson. On your arrival at Hennepin,you will immediately report 
 to me near Dodgeville, Michigan Territory. It is important that vour move- 
 
 i M. Duncan was publisher of the first newspaper in Illinois, the Illinois 
 Herald, at Kaskaskia. He was a brother of Joseph Duncan, Governor of Illi 
 nois, 1834-8. 
 
HENRY DODGE. 63 
 
 ment should be made promptly. At Hennepin you will be about sixtv miles 
 from Rock river, where you can march immediately to Rock river, or any other 
 part of the country where it may be necessary to concentrate the Rangers. 
 
 DIXON'S FERRY, April Qth, 1833. 
 To Gen. Atkinson, St. Louis: 
 
 I arrived at this place at 10 o'clock last night, accompanied by Mr. Wood- 
 bridge, after a ride of seventy miles. I found the people moving in every 
 direction, much excited. There are no families on the road from Meredith, 
 twenty miles this side of Fort Clark, except Thomas, and none between this 
 place and Apple river. The information received through Dixon has directly 
 operated on the great mass of the community living on this frontier. From 
 his statements the conduct of the Winnebagoes is mysterious and doubtful. A 
 short time will determine the course they will take. Lieutenant Wilson, of the 
 U. S. Army, is going directly to Jefferson Barracks; he is from the mines, and 
 can inform you as to the state of public feeling. It is certainly desirable that 
 the Government should purchase as early as possible the Pottawattamie coun- 
 trv, 1 and enforce the treaty made with the Winnebagoes. Such is the state of 
 feeling of the people, that the Indians must be removed to prevent war, the 
 sooner the better. 
 
 Should the Indians make any hostile movements, I will endeavor to be pre 
 pared for them. Their inquiries have been very particular where I was, and 
 where my familj' were. I will advise the people of the mining country to 
 form themselves into mounted companies, as many as can procure horses, and 
 will post myself with them in advance of the settlements, if there is an appear 
 ance of danger. I will see Gratiot on my way home, and will send for the 
 principal chiefs of the Winnebagoes, and have a talk with them, which I will 
 communicate to you. 
 
 NEAR DODGEVILLE, MICH. TY., April 13111, 1833. 
 To Major General Macomb, 
 
 Commanding U.S. Army at Washington City: 
 
 The inhabitants of the Illinois frontier appear in much dread from an attack 
 of the Potta\vattamies, and are leaving the settlements; many of them I met 
 in wagons. They appear in great dread of a premeditated attack from both 
 Pottawattamies and Winnebagoes. I am convinced that nothing short of an 
 extinguishment of the title of the Pottawattamies to the country bordering 
 on the State of Illinois, and their removal from that frontier, will quiet the 
 minds of the inhabitants. I consider it important to the future growth of this 
 
 i The Pottawattamie country contained about five millions of acres lying 
 along the western shore of Lake Michigan, and between that lake and the 
 land lately ceded to the U. S. by the Winnebagoes. By a treaty made a few 
 months afterward at Chicago it was ceded to the U. S. September 26th, 1833, 
 and the Pottawattamies agreed to remove to the country now constituting a 
 part of Southwestern Iowa and of Northwestern Missouri, lying between the 
 Boyer and Nodaway rivers, and embracing five millions of acres. U. S. 
 Statutes at Large, t'/V, 431- 
 
64 HENRY DODGE. 
 
 country that the Winnebagoes should be forced to leave the country they have 
 ceded to the I". S., and that there should be a separation of the Winnebagoes 
 and Poltawattamies. Such is the dislike of the people of the frontier generally 
 of these two nations, impressed as they are with the belief that they partici 
 pated in the late war with the Sacs and Foxes, that war must be the inevitable 
 result unless they are all removed. Whether the inhabitants are in danger or 
 not. thev appear confident of the hostile disposition of these Indians. I have 
 seen Mr. Gratiot, sub agent, since mv arrival. He savs no clanger is to be 
 apprehended from the Winnebagoes, that they say they will not go to war 
 with the whites, but that thev wish to remain on the lands they have ceded to 
 the U. S., and raise corn, and that when they receive their annuity money in 
 the fall they will cross the Wisconsin river to their country. This arrange 
 ment will not suit the people of this frontier. Nothing but the removal of the 
 Rock River Indians will satisfy the people; and from the advantages the 
 Indians have, their knowledge of the country, the extent of the swamps, as 
 well as the thickets and fallen timber where they could secrete themselves and 
 be free from an attack of a body of horses, unless the Winnebagoes go peace- 
 ablv it will take at least 700 mounted men to remove them to act on foot or 
 mounted, as this particular service may require. 
 
 Gratiot states to me he saw among the Winnebagoes four of the murderers 
 that made their escape from Fort Winnebago last fall. 1 If they are as friendly 
 as thev profess to be, why not give up the murderers? It would certainly be 
 the best evidence of their disposition to act correctly. The people of the min 
 ing country are satisfied of the guilt of the Winnebagoes in having aided the 
 Sacs in the war against us and the escape of the Winnebago murderers. It 
 being known to all that the murderers of our people are protected by the great 
 body of the Winnebagoes on Rock river will make it difficult to keep peace 
 unless these murderers are given up. 
 
 DODGEVILT.E, April 22d, 1833. 
 To Brigadier General II. Atkinson, 
 
 Commanding the Rig lit Wing of the Western Dcpt., f\ S. Army: 
 
 On mv arrival at Gratiot's Grove on the loth inst., I proposed to Mr. Gratiot, 
 who had returned from the Turtle village the evening before, to send imme 
 diately for the chiefs of the Winnebagoes on Rock river. My object was to 
 ascertain the state of feeling among them. Mr.- Gratiot states that they deny 
 any hostile feelings towards the whites, and that they have no ammunition, 
 and are almost in a state of starvation. 
 
 Mr. John Kinxie, sub-agent at Fort Winnebago, was with me last night; he 
 is directly from that place by the way of Uaugherty's, an Indian trader, who 
 
 i These murderers were charged, some of them, with the murder of St. 
 Vrain, in Illinois, others with the murder of Aubrey, Green, and Force, near 
 the Blue Mounds. They made their escape from the black hole at the fort, 
 by digging under the stone foundation with their knives through the earth, a 
 distance of seven or eight feet outside the fort. Nilci /iV^/V/Vv, Jauuarv iqth, 
 '833- 
 
HENRY DODGE. 65 
 
 is settled near the Four Lakes. He says the Winnebagoes are in great dread 
 of the whites, and wish much to see me. I have agreed to meet Kinzie at the 
 Four Lakes on this day week. He will notify the Indians, and will attend. I 
 will endeavor to have Gratiot present, and Pauquette as interpreter. I will let 
 the Indians know the necessity of their removal. 
 
 Mr. Kinzie states, on his return from Chicago recently, that he had seen and 
 talked with Caldwell, the chief of the Pottawattamies, who says they are 
 anxious to sell their country to the United States and move west of the Missis 
 sippi; and that they are anxious to explore the country west of the Mississippi, 
 and want an escort of Rangers to accompany them, as the country west of the 
 Mississippi is owned by different nations of Indinns, with the exception of that 
 portion recently purchased by the United States from the Sacs and Foxes. A 
 treaty would have to be made with the Indians owning the country they might 
 select, before their removal could be effected. 
 
 I received a letter from Capt. Beekes, dated from his camp near Vincennes 
 on the 9th inst. He acknowledges the receipt of my order. He appears to 
 think it will be impossible for him to reach Hennepin by the 2Oth inst. He 
 states' that Paymaster Philips had not arrived, that the Rangers were without 
 money to buy forage for their horses, that he had selected Mr. Samuel Smith 
 to purchase rations for the Rangers as well as forage for their horses, and was 
 busily engaged in making the necessary preparations for their march, that he 
 would reach Hennepin as early as possible, that the health of the men was 
 good, their horses in excellent order, and that they were well armed and 
 equipped for service. 
 
 Capt. Browne will, I presume, be at Hennepin with his company by the 
 time specified. I have no doubt the Rangers of these companies will be 
 employed on this frontier during their term of enlistment. Supplies of provis 
 ions will be wanting for them at some convenient points, say Fort Winnebago, 
 Fort Crawford, and at Helena, on the Wisconsin river. It is believed that the 
 Winnebagoes will locate themselves at or near the old Sac village. Helena 
 would be a central point between the Portage and the mouth of the Wisconsin 
 river, and, as the Winnebagoes will be all removed north of the river, there 
 will be no necessity for ranging the country on the Rock river, unless it should 
 be necessary to watch the movements of the Pottawattamies on the Illinois 
 frontier. 
 
 I will immediately, after a meeting with the Winnebagoes, forward you 
 copies of our talk with them. The large amount now to be paid the Winne 
 bagoes annually, and the conflicting interests of agents as well as Indian 
 traders, make it difficult to come at the truth. 
 
 NEAR DODGEVILLE, April 25th, 1833. 
 Capt. Jesse Browne, 
 
 Commanding a Company of U. S. Rangers: 
 
 I received your favor of the 2oth inst. from Hennepin by express. Your 
 arrival at that place was calculated to quiet the minds of the inhabitants on 
 the Illinois frontier; the people have been kept in a state of agitation from con 
 flicting reports. 
 
66 HENRY DOIX;K. 
 
 With a view to ensuring the complete execution of the treaty with the 
 Wihnebagoes, I am directed to order your company to advance as early as the 
 season will permit, to take such a position as will enable your command to be 
 etk-ctive in reference to the removal of the Winnebagoes, should thev hesitate 
 to comply with the treaty. 
 
 To facilitate the views of the Government, vou will march vour company to 
 this frontier as early as possible, and as the supplies of provisions, arms and 
 ammunition for the use of your company must be drawn at Fort Crawford, 
 you will have to draw at least ten days rations at Hennepin; the distance from 
 that place to Fort Crawford is 200 miles. As it will be necessary for me to 
 communicate with Col. Taylor, the commanding officer at Fort Crawford, you 
 will pass near my residence in the mining country, which is the direct route 
 from Rock river to Fort Crawford, and report to me for further orders. 
 
 I am to hold a talk with the chiefs of the Rock River Band of Winnebagoes 
 at the Four Lakes on the 29th. inst., and will possibly get some information 
 that may be depended on. From the statements of the Indian Agents it would 
 seem the Winnebagoes are in great dread of an attack from the Rangers this 
 spring. I will communicate to them what the views of the Government are as 
 respects their removal from the lands they have ceded to the United States. I 
 have no doubt it is absolutely necessary for the security of the frontier inhabi 
 tants both of Illinois and Michigan that the Pottawattamies and Winnebagoes 
 should be separated, and that they should be obliged to leave their present 
 residence. 
 
 Similar orders to those sent to Capt. Browne were sent to 
 Capt. Beekes. Col. Dodge met the Winnebago chiefs at the 
 Four Lakes on the 2pth of April, as is described in the fol 
 lowing letters: 
 
 May 2cl, 1833. 
 Brigadier General Atkitison : 
 
 I forward you a copy of the talk held with the Winnebagoes at the head of 
 the Four Lakes on the 29th ult. Mr. Kinzie attended the council as well as 
 Mr. Gratiot; Pauquette acted as interpreter. The White Crow and Whirling 
 Thunder were anxious that I should speak first, no doubt with a view of ascer 
 taining if any advantage could be taken on their part. I told the chiefs I 
 wished to know what their feelings and wishes were in relation to removal 
 from the country they had ceded the United States last year. I replied to the 
 talk of the chiefs, and then told them I would be glad to hear from them 
 again. They made no reply to that part of my talk in relation to the mur 
 derers. 
 
 From all the information I can procure, the traders and some others have 
 told the Indians that as they delivered the murderers once, and the whites 
 permitted them to escape, by the laws of nations the whites would have to 
 retake them. 
 
 I was informed about four days before I met the Indians in council, that 
 one hundred and fifty of the Winnebagoes had been at Daugherty's trading 
 
HENRY DODGE. 67 
 
 house, which is about fifteen miles from the Four Lakes, to see me, under 
 standing I was to be there at that time. The Indian who killed St. Vrain, 
 the Indian agent, was among the number, dressed very fine, and said he wanted 
 to see me. Some steps should be taken to oblige the chiefs to deliver these 
 murderers. I have received no instructions on that subject. I discovered a 
 great unwillingness on the part of the Indians to leave the country thev have 
 sold the United States. Nothing but a strong mounted force will drive them 
 off. My opinion is, a few of the leading men will go to save appearances, and 
 many will remain on the Upper Rock river, which is so well calculated to 
 afford them shelter and protection. 
 
 I had the honor of receiving your favor of the i5th ult. I had not intended 
 organizing the militia of the mining country unless the hostile disposition of 
 the Indians was apparent. I am much gratified that the steps I have taken in 
 calling the Indians into council has met your approbation. I could devise no 
 plan that appeared to me more advisable than to call them together, and have 
 their agents present at a conference with them. 
 
 I am exceedingly unwilling to assume responsibilities not warranted by the 
 express letter of my orders. I have, however, frequently from necessitv and 
 not choice been obliged to act from circumstances. As this frontier is under 
 your immediate direction I should not act without your orders as the com 
 manding general, except in cases of great apparent danger.' 
 
 NEAR DODGE vi LI. E, M. T., May 3d, 1833. 
 Hon. Lcr.'is Ctiss, Secretary of War : 
 
 [After communicating the same information as is contained in the above 
 
 letter to Gen. Atkinson] You are much better acquainted with the 
 
 Indian character than I can pretend to be, and can form more correct conclu 
 sions than I can. The Winnebagoes are the most difficult Indians to under 
 stand I have ever been acquainted with. If they could avoid a compliance 
 with their engagements to leave the country they have ceded to the United 
 States, they would do so. The Rangers will be here in a few days. Whether 
 the two companies will be a force sufficiently imposing to oblige the Upper 
 Rock River Winnebagoes to remove, I am unable to say, A few of the 
 leading men I think will remove; but it is doubtful whether the major 
 part of them will cross the Wisconsin river. Their chiefs appear to have less 
 influence over them than any Indians I have known. 
 
 Upon the arrival of the two companies of Rangers at Col. 
 Dodge's headquarters the latter part of May, they were 
 ordered, after halting a week, to take a position suitable for 
 camping in the neighbohood of the Four Lakes, in order to 
 watch the Winnebagoes, and to insure their strict observance 
 of the treaty made with them at Rock Island. They estab 
 lished a camp near the northwest side of Fourth Lake, and 
 named it Belle Fountain; and subsequently a camp on the 
 
68 HKNRY DODGE. 
 
 Wisconsin river, and named it camp Knox. Supplies of am 
 munition and subsistence were drawn from Fort Winnebago, 
 and from Helena, on the Wisconsin river. The two compan 
 ies were under the command of Capt. Beekes, to whom Col. 
 Dodge gave the following orders, June 4th : 
 
 Captain Beekes will observe a mild but decided course towards the Winne- 
 He will order a detachment of twenty men under the command of 
 an officer, who will take the main trail of the Sacs to where they crossed the 
 muddy fork of Rock river; after crossing that branch of Rock river they will 
 take the main trail made by the whites to where the volunteers under my com 
 mand reached Rock river from Fort Winnebago. By this movement you will 
 ascertain if a part of the Winnebagoes are yet remaining on Rock river. Y ou 
 will keep detachments ranging the country to Whitewater on the Rock river, 
 as well as to the Turtle village formerly occupied by the Winnebagoes, and 
 ascertain, if possible, if any part of the Winnebagoes have removed to the 
 lands of the Pottawattamies. Should you find a considerable number of the 
 Winnebagoes yet remaining on the lands they have ceded the United States, 
 you will immediately send an express to Col. Taylor, commanding at Fort 
 Crawford, under whose orders you are placed during my absence to the south 
 ern frontier, and no steps are to be taken until his arrival, as the removal of the 
 Winnebagoes devolves exclusively on Col. Taylor, should they refuse to leave 
 the country agreeably to the stipulations of the treaty made at Rock Island. 
 
 Should the U. S. Rangers meet the Winnebagoes, or find them located on 
 the ceded lands, they are to take no steps, but report the facts to the command 
 ing officer of the detachment, unless they should be attacked by the Winne 
 bagoes. In that event they are to kill the offenders, their aiders and abetters, 
 if possible. The parties sent on this service should be directed to be strictly 
 on their guard against the possibility of surprise, by keeping their spies always 
 in the advance and on their flanks and rear such a distance as to give the main 
 party time to be prepared for action, should it become necessary. Silence is 
 of the first importance where there is the possibility of danger; loud talking 
 and laughing should be prohibited on a march; caution is the first duty of a 
 soldier; the utmost vigilance will be necessary in preventing horses from being 
 stolen by the Indians, or straying away ; they must be well secured at all 
 times. 
 
 Discipline and subordination is of vital importance to all bodies of armed 
 men. The drill for the Rangers as prescribed by the War Department must 
 be practiced each day when the weather will permit; the dismounting motion, 
 linking horses, advancing the Rangers in line, in open order, and at trail arms, 
 is an important movement that should be well understood by the Rangers. 
 
 The commanding officer of the Rangers directs that the rules and articles of 
 war shall be observed and obeyed, and that the general regulations of the army 
 be observed in all cases. A proper deference and respect from the officers to 
 each other, it is expected, will be strictly observed in their respective relations. 
 Combining as the officers of this detachment do a knowledge of the leading 
 
HENRY DODGE. 69 
 
 principles of their profession, as well as a practical knowledge of Indian war 
 fare, the most happy results may be expected in affording protection to the 
 settlers on the frontiers. 
 
 Ordered by Gen. Atkinson to make a demand upon the 
 Winnebago chiefs for the murderers who had escaped the 
 previous fall, Col. Dodge made arrangements to meet the 
 chiefs at the Portage for that purpose. 
 
 June 4th, 1833. 
 To Gen. Henry Atkinson: 
 
 Yours of the 24th ult. I received this morning. I am much gratified that 
 my course in relation to the Winnebagoes has met your approbation. Every 
 facility has been afforded the Winnebagoes of Rock river to enable them 
 peaceably to leave the country they have ceded to the United States; the corn 
 promised them they have received, and Capt. Gentry hauled their canoes from 
 the Four Lakes to the Wisconsin river. The Whirling Thunder, the Blind or 
 White Crow, Little Priest, Little Black, and White Breast had crossed over to 
 the Wisconsin with their canoes. The Man Eater, who is the principal chief 
 on the Upper Rock river, and the Spotted Arm, it was understood, had not 
 crossed the Wisconsin. Capt. Gentry saw about one hundred men, warriors. 
 From all the information I have been able to procure, not one half of the 
 Rock River Indians have crossed the Wisconsin; and the Indians that have 
 crossed are no doubt waiting to see what steps will be taken as to the removal 
 of those remaining on the lands they have ceded the United States. 
 
 I will take a position near the Four Lakes, where I can march to any part 
 of the Rock River country in two days. The large trails made last season will 
 be easily followed by light parties that may be sent out to make discoveries. 
 I have always been of opinion it would require an armed force to drive the 
 Winnebagoes from Rock River. Should a spirit of resistance be shown on 
 the part of the Indians, when I ascertain the probable number I can better 
 determine what number of troops will be necessary to drive them, and will 
 advise you immediately. I will get Pauquette, if possible, to accompany me 
 as interpreter. It will be difficult at present to get the murderers. The course 
 you have advised will be pursued. I have no doubt it will require the action 
 of the chiefs to effect a delivery of them. I will immediately call the attention 
 of the Indian agents to the subject, and meet the chiefs as early as possible. 
 The Portage will be, I think, the better place to convene them. 
 
 NEAR DODGEVILLE, June 8th, 1832.. 
 To Brigadier General Atkinson: 
 
 I leave this place early to-morrow morning for the Four Lakes. I will 
 ascertain as early as possible the movements of the Winnebagoes, and advise 
 the Indian agents of the time and place I will meet the chiefs to make a 
 demand of the murderers. I learned from Mr. Goodale, sutler at Fort Winne 
 bago, that Mr. Kinzie, the Indian agent at the Portage, had gone to Green 
 Bav, to meet Governor Porter, and that he would not return to the Portage 
 before the i5th inst. 
 
7o HENRY DODGE. 
 
 The Four Lakes, I think, will he a proper point to post the Rangers; the 
 distance from Helena will be about thirty seven miles. The Rangers have six 
 wagons, and will be able with convenience to transport the necessary supplies 
 for their use while at that place, and it will be within fifteen miles of the Wis 
 consin river, and where I can ascertain better the movements of the Indians, 
 and range the country from the Blue Mounds to Fort Winnebago. 
 
 In addition to his duties with the Rangers in connection 
 with the removal of the Winnebagoes, Col. Dodge was also 
 occupied with arrangements for the organization of the Regi 
 ment of U. S. Dragoons. The following extracts relate in 
 part to those arrangements: 
 
 DODGEVILLE, ]unc 8th, 1833. 
 To Major J. S. Brant, 
 
 Quartermaster^ St. Louis, Missouri : 
 
 Every attention shall be paid for the safe keeping of the public horses. It is 
 desirable, however, they should be removed as early as possible to where they 
 might be wanting for the use of the Dragoons, as they are in fine order. 
 Should any of the public horses stray off, or be stolen, I certainly ought not to 
 be responsible for them. 
 
 I am much gratified to hear the public horses purchased by me will be paid 
 for, and that a settlement will take place for the mounting and equipping the 
 Iowa County Militia. The responsibility I was obliged to take for the defence 
 and protection of our frontier has been a source of great uneasiness to me. I 
 have given to Major Kirby, the paymaster, all the information in mv power, 
 and, if my duties on the frontier will permit me, will do everything I can to 
 assist Capt. Palmer, Special Agent for the Quartermaster's Department, in his 
 settlement of the public accounts. 
 
 In your letter of the 3oth ult., you stated you had received instructions for 
 the erection of stables, store-houses, and for equipments, etc., for the Regiment 
 of Dragoons. I fully agree with you in voui> views as to the propriety of 
 regarding efficiency and durability in the outfit as essential to the future use 
 fulness of the corps, and that economy should be observed in the expenditure 
 of the public money in the erection of stables. 
 
 The Regiment of Dragoons was intended for the more perfect defence of 
 this frontier. I do not know what the views of the Government may be as to 
 the future disposition of the Regiment I presume, however, they will be sta 
 tioned after their organization on the frontier. It is not to be expected that 
 Jefferson Barracks will be the permanent headquarters of the Regiment longer 
 than may be necessary to complete its organization. 
 
 On his return from Fort Winnebago he forwarded the fol 
 lowing report to Gen. Atkinson: 
 
 DODGEVILLK, MICHIGAN TV., June 29th, 1833. 
 
 GENERAL: I received your letter of i3th inst. yesterdav evening on mv 
 return from Fort Winnebago. On the 9th insl. I started from this place for 
 
HENRY DODGE. 71 
 
 Fort Winnebago, reached the Rangers' camp near the Four Lakes on the loth 
 inst., and arrived at Fort Winnebago on the, i4th. Mr. Kinzie, sub-agent for 
 the Winnebagoes, arrived on the I5th with twenty thousand dollars, the 
 annuity money for the Winnebagoes. I waited on Mr. Kinzie, and sent for 
 Mr. Pauquette, the interpreter, and had a confidential conference with them 
 on the subject of the removal of the Winnebagoes, as well as the necessity of 
 a prompt delivery of the eight murderers who made their escape from Fort 
 Winnebago last fall; and that a refusal on the part of the Indians to remove 
 from the ceded lands would oblige me to march with the mounted Rangers to 
 drive them across the Wisconsin river, and that it might be necessary for me 
 to call on the Government for aid, and, should it become necessary to do so, 
 that the chiefs would be in danger of being taken and held as hostages until 
 the murderers were delivered up, to be dealt with according to law. I was 
 well apprised that Man Eater, the chief on the Upper Rock river, had not left 
 his village, and- that at least sixty lodges were yet remaining on the Upper 
 Rock river. Mr. Kinzie having the annuity money in his possession, I 
 thought it would be a favorable moment to call the attention of the chiefs to 
 this subject, that the annuity money would not be paid them, until they com 
 plied with the demands of the Government. I desired Mr. Kinzie to notify 
 the chiefs I would meet them on the 22d inst., at the Portage; in the mean 
 time, the Indians on the Rock river should be all notified, both as to their 
 removal, as well as my course in relation to the murderers. 
 
 I left the Rangers on the morning of the 22d inst., and arrived at Fort Win 
 nebago at about 10 o'clock. The Rangers arrived at the fort at about 12 
 o'clock. I enclose you a talk held with the chiefs: 
 
 To the Chiefs of the Winnebago Nation: 
 
 When at the Four Lakes, on the 2gth of April, in my talk with you I told you that a cloud of dark 
 ness would rest on your Nation until you delivered up to justice the eight murderers taken by you 
 last fall under a stipulation of the treaty made with the U. S. Commissioners at Rock Island. You 
 acted in that respect with good faith. The murderers have made their escape; they have received 
 your aid and protection. During the winter on Rock river, your agent, Mr. Gratiot, stated to me 
 he had seen four of them; he identified the Indian who killed the U. S. agent of the Sacs and 
 Foxes, Mr. St. Vrain. 
 
 It becomes my duty to demand of you, the chiefs, that these men be delivered to me; their escape 
 from justice is no acquittal of them. Is it right, is it just, that men who professed to be our friends, 
 and when the Government of the U. S. was in a state of peace with their nation, that a part of them 
 should unite with the Sac and Fox Indians, to kill our weak and defenceless citizens on this frontier 
 and charge the crimes on the Sacs? The men who participated in killing the U. S. Indian agent, 
 and his murderer, whom, as Mr. Gratiot, your agent, states, Mr. St. Vrain had fed and extended to 
 him all the rights of hospitality and friendship at his house at Rock Island but two weeks before he 
 was killed! the Indian who barbarously cut off his hands and feet before his death! have been 
 permitted by you to go at large, covered with the blood of an innocent man, without any attempt 
 since the escape of these murderers on your part to bring him and the rest of the murderers to that 
 justice their crimes merit. This state of things is in direct violation of every principle of justice; and 
 contrary to all usage among friendly nations, for one party to harbor and conceal murderers and 
 culprits claimed by the other party, 
 
 I now distinctly give you to understand that if you fail to adopt measures for the apprehension of 
 the fugitives from justice, it will lead to a stoppage of your annuities by the Government and that 
 your chiefs are liable to be arrested and detained until the delivery of the murderers. 
 
 Your great father, the President of the United States, deals justly with all nations, whether a 
 strong or a weak people; he asks nothing of them that is not right; and he will submit to nothing 
 that is wrong. He will do justice to all the Red Skins. Had our frontier people killed any of the 
 
IllNKY 
 
 \Vinnebanoes in a linn- f peace, they would have been punished act ordm- to the laws of the coun 
 try where the crime was committed. If your people kill ours, they must he punished in the .same 
 manner that our citizens arc punished. The laws are made for the protection of all, as well 88 for 
 the punishment of all who violate them. 
 
 If you deliver the murderers to us, to be dealt with according to law, you will give us a proof uf 
 your friendly disposition, and that you are disposed to observe and conform to those friendly rela 
 tions that should exist among different nations of people; then the bright chain of friendship will 
 remain entire and unbroken between us. 
 
 Should you fail to deliver these murderers, your road will be filled with thorns, and the sun will 
 be 'covered with a dark cloud, which will rest over your nation until the blood of the innocent is 
 avenged. 
 
 Judge Doty, the former U. S. District Judge, now practicing as an attorney, 
 had heen at the Portage after my conference with Mr. Kinzie. He had heen 
 employed last fall by the murderers to defend them. He advised the friends 
 of the culprits to deliver themselves up to Mr. Kinzie, who was the only acting 
 magistrate at the Portage, before my arrival. As Mr. Kinzie lived in Brown 
 county, the murderers would be committed to the gaol of that county, and they 
 would not be taken to Prairie du Chien and confined, and would not have to 
 be tried in Iowa county, where the alleged murders were committed, and 
 where public opinion was decidedly against them. Mr. Kinzie directed the 
 accused murderers to be placed in the guard house in the fort, under the ninth 
 article of the treaty made at Rock Island. The names of the murderers wen- 
 given, and three of them were given up as the murderers of Mr. St. Vrain, 
 killed near Kellogg's Grove, in the State of Illinois, who must be tried in thai 
 State; and consequently a demand must be made by the Governor of 
 the State of Illinois on the Governor of this Territory for the delivery of the 
 murderers of St. Vrain I mention this subject in order that the proper steps 
 may be taken in relation to the trial of these murderers. 
 
 The Indians charged with killing Aubrey, Green, and Force, near the Blue 
 Mounds, must be tried in the county where the murder was committed, unless 
 the Judge orders the change of the venue. The Indians were marching to t he- 
 fort on my arrival; seven of them have been committed; there is a hostage for 
 the eighth, that is expected will be delivered. 
 
 There is a large collection of the Winnebagoes at the Portage; Mr. Kinzie 
 says about four thousand souls. They will be paid their annuity money on the 
 first of July. Man Eater and the Indians of the Upper Rock river were all at 
 the Portage. They are now camped on the Menominee lands, and say they 
 have a right to remain. I think to remove the Rangers immediately from the 
 frontier, many of the Winnebagoes will cross the Wisconsin below the Portage 
 and return toward the Rock river. 
 
 I would have remained at the Portage with the Rangers until the annuity 
 money was paid, and would have seen the Winnebagoes move across the Wis 
 consin, but the scarcity of supplies at Fort Winnebago obliged me to march 
 the Rangers to Helena, where our supplies had arrived about the iSth inst. 
 
 I am strengthened in my belief that the Indians will return to the Rock 
 river from the statements of Mr. Marsh, an agent of the American Fur Com 
 pany. He called to see me, and stated to me that the fur trade of the Upper 
 Rock river was worth twenty thousand dollars annually, that he had been 
 
HENRY DODGE. 73 
 
 engaged in that trade about ten years; he appeared to regret much that the 
 Winnebagoes should be deprived of the privilege of hunting on the ceded 
 country, because the Pottawattamies would cross over their boundary and hunt 
 and trap on the ceded country. I stated to him I understood commissioners 
 had been appointed to treat with the Pottawattamies in September for their 
 country bordering on the State of Illinois. He said the Pottawattamies would 
 sell their country and were willing to move west of the Mississippi, but that 
 their crop of corn would be ripe in September, and that they could not remove 
 their corn with them, and that they would necessarily remain until spring, 
 which would give them the advantage of hunting in the Winnebago country 
 during the winter. Mr. Marsh has a wife and children among the Winneba- 
 goes. Several of the Winnebago chiefs have applied to me for permission to 
 return to hunt on the ceded lands, which I have positively denied them. 
 
 I met Mr. Rolette near the Portage on my return, who informed me of the 
 order Col. Taylor had received as to the marching of the Rangers to the Sioux 
 and Chippeway country, and appeared much interested in the contemplated 
 movement up the Mississippi. The American Fur Company to which he is 
 attached is no doubt greatly interested that peace should be preserved between 
 the respective Indian nations with whom they have intercourse. This trader 
 has been deeply interested in the Rock river trade. 
 
 I think the proper course \vould be to range the country bordering on the 
 Wisconsin from Helena to the Portage until the term for which the Rangers 
 are enlisted expires. I have made an arrangement with Col. Cutler, com 
 manding officer at Fort Winnebago to send me an express immediately should 
 the Winnebagoes not cross the Wisconsin. He thinks it would be improper 
 for them to remain on the lands of the Menomonees. Under my orders I 
 should consider I was bound to remove them across the Wisconsin. To per 
 mit them to remain on the lands of the Menomonees would facilitate their 
 immediate return to the Rock river country. 
 
 Capt. Beekes enlisted the greater part of his company on the 7th of July. 
 Their time would expire on the march to the Sioux and Chippeway country. 
 The time of enlistment of Capt. Browne's company would expire about three 
 weeks after that time. From the disposition already evinced by the Rangers 
 of Beekes's company, Col. Taylor would find it difficult to do anything with 
 them. Capt. Browne's company appear satisfied, and I think there would be 
 no difficulty with them. 
 
 DODGEVILLE, July I4th, 1833. 
 
 General H. Atkinson: 
 
 I ordered the Rangers to range the country carefully, and to take all strag 
 gling Indians they might find within the limits of the ceded country, and 
 retain them in safe keeping until further orders. From a conversation I had 
 with Daugherty and Mack, two Indian traders on Rock river, I suspected 
 them for secretly advising a part of the Winnebagoes to return to Rock river. 
 The Indian wife of Daugherty is the relation of Whirling Thunder, the princi 
 pal chief of the Rock River Indians. 
 
 Whirling Thunder, his family, with several men (the party of Winnebagoes 
 
74 
 
 HENRY DOIXTK. 
 
 was composed of about twenty, including children) were found on Sugar creek, 
 where they had camped. Daugherty had furnished his wagon to transport the 
 baggage.of Whirling Thunder and his party. A white man by the name of 
 Davie was drawing the wagon with two Frenchmen; Emmell and another 
 (his name I do not know) were in company. They were taken with Whirling 
 Thunder and his party by Lieut. Wheelock of the U. S. Rangers, under the 
 orders of Capt. Beekes, and conducted to the camp of the Rangers near the 
 Four Lakes. I was immediately notified by express, and repaired without 
 delay to the Four Lakes where I found the Indians and the three white men 
 under guard. I released the whites, and sent Lieut. Fry, of the U. S. Rangers, 
 with fifty men as an escort to guard Whirling Thunder and his party to the 
 Portage, and cross them over the Wisconsin river. 
 
 In mv conference with the Winnebagoes at the Portage, I discovered a 
 desire on the part of the Winnebagoes to hunt on the lands of the Menomonees 
 on Fox river. I suspected them for occupying that country only for the 
 moment and then passing to the Upper Rock river. The Winnebagoes and 
 Menomonees appear very friendly at present, and I have thought it probable 
 there might be a secret understanding between them to that effect. Pauquette, 
 the interpreter at the Portage, with whom you are acquainted, appears to 
 think, unless the Winnebagoes are permitted to hunt on the lands of the 
 Menomonees there will be difficulty between them, unless the latter nation is 
 prevented from hunting on the lands of the Winnebagoes. 
 
 The Rangers commanded by Capt. Beekes, whose term of service expired, 
 as they state, on the 7th of July, presented themselves forty-two in number, 
 and demanded of the captain their discharge, stating they could only be com 
 pelled to serve the U. S. twelve months from the date of their enlistment, not 
 from the time they were mustered by the inspecting officer into service. These 
 men commenced stacking their public arms immediately before the tent of the 
 captain, mounted their horses, and started for Indiana. A part of the balance 
 have left the service in the same manner since, leaving not more than twenty 
 men in Capt. Beekes' company, with two First Lieutenants, one Second Lieu 
 tenant, and two Brevet Lieutenants. Capt. Beekes applied to me for a fur 
 lough to return to Indiana; he has had a severe attack of the rheumatic pains, 
 and is at present unfit for service. I granted him a furlough of sixty days. 
 
 The term of time for which Capt Browne's men have been enlisted, upon 
 the principle contended by the Rangers of Capt. Beekes' company, will expire 
 in a few days, and should they discharge themselves in the same manner that 
 Capt. Beekes' men left the service, this will leave the frontier without mounted 
 men. Capt. Browne has two First Lieutenants, one Second Lieutenant, one 
 Third Lieutenant, and one Brevet Lieutenant attached to his company; there 
 will be eleven officers in both companies. 
 
 Under the General Order of the nth of March the Mounted Rangers were 
 held in readiness for active service until relieved by the Regular Cavalry. 
 Under that Order I felt myself bound not to discharge the Rangers until I 
 received orders to that effect. Had the country been in a state of war with the 
 Indians, I should have taken stronger grounds. I think, however, a mounted 
 force should be kept on this frontier, and that something should be done with 
 
HENRY DODGE. 75 
 
 the Indian traders who urge the Indians to violate their treaties with the U. S. 
 If we hav trouble on this frontier, it will be more the fault of the traders than 
 the . JLndia'ns r the large amount now to be paid the Winnebagoes makes their 
 trade valuable; these traders are generally married to Indian women, and they 
 always exercise an improper influence over the minds of the Indians. 
 
 Will you have the goodness to direct the disposition I shall make of the 
 o racers under my command ; .'on 'this frontier, should the Rangers discharge 
 themselves. 
 
 July i S th, i8 33 . 
 General Atkinson: 
 
 I regret to inform you that the cholera has made its appearance in the camp 
 of the Rangers near the Wisconsin. Yesterday two privates of Capt. Browne's 
 company died in a few hours after their attack, and the Captain informs me 
 there are several men who have the premonitory symptoms of this disease. I 
 have sent an express for Dr. Phileo, and, if it is not in his power to come to 
 our assistance, to send Dr. Crane. Dr. McLaren is a good young man, and no 
 doubt a good physician, but has had no experience in this terrible disease. 
 
 I wrote you' by the mail yesterday fully; this letter is sent by the express 
 who is the bearer of my letter to Dr. Phileo. 
 
 Early in August Col. Dodge closed the work of the U. S. 
 Rangers upon the Northwestern frontier, leaving a small 
 detachment of thirty-five men upon the ground, whose term 
 of service had not expired, under the following order: 
 
 NORTHWESTERN FRONTIER, August 7th, 1833. 
 
 Second Lieutenant James Clyman, 
 
 Commanding' a Detachment of U. S. Rangers: 
 
 You will remain in the neighborhood of Dodgeville with the detachment 
 under your command; your supplies of rations will be issued by Third Lieu 
 tenant John G. McDonald, until the first of October, at which time you will 
 discharge the men of your detachment, unless sooner discharged by the order 
 of Brigadier General Atkinson. You will once in two weeks range the coun 
 try from your camp near Dodgeville to the Four Lakes, where you will be 
 able to get information as to the movements of the Winnebagoes. Should you 
 find any of them you will treat them friendly, and take no step that could pos 
 sibly involve the frontier inhabitants in difficulty with the Indians; but should 
 you ascertain that the Winnebagoes are returning to the lands they have ceded 
 the United States, you will without delay report the facts to General Atkinson 
 at Jefferson Barracks, or myself, should I be stationed at that place. 
 
 While occupied with the organization of the regiment of 
 Dragoons at St. Louis, his brother, Dr. Linn, was called to 
 St. Genevieve by the earnest entreaties of his old friends in 
 that place, where there was a virulent outbreak of cholera. 
 
76 HKNKY Dm><;i:. 
 
 In ministering to HUMII Dr. Linn was himself seized with the 
 epidemic, and anticipating a fatal result, he despatched a mes 
 senger for his wife, who was at St. Louis, to come to him. 
 She immediately hurried on her way, driving down on the 
 Illinois side of the river, and crossing the river again at St. 
 Genevieve. in imminent peril in the darkness of the night, 
 when she found her hushand still living, and that hopes were 
 entertained of his recovery. Soon after she had left St. Louis, 
 Col. Dodge was advised of it, and he hastened to overtake her, 
 but she was too swift in her journey. . On reaching St. Gene- 
 vieve the next morning, he told Mrs. Linn that he had fre 
 quently overtaken Indians running from him with all the 
 fleetness for which they are remarkable, but he should never 
 again try to overtake a wife flying to seek a sick husband. 
 He had left St. Louis half an hour after her, and although 
 mounted on a tine horse had tried in vain to overtake her. 1 
 
 i Life and Public Services of Dr. Lewis F. Linn, bv Mrs. K. A. Linn and 
 
 Nat ban Sargent, pp. 72-77.